System and method for testing crash avoidance technologies

• US 8,447,509 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2012
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, ISAAC G
• Application Number:
  US13/357,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20130018526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/23, 701/28, 701/36, 701/117, 701/300, 701/301, 701/411, 701/420, 701/423, 73/120.4, 14/695, 104/37, 104/44, 104/45, 180/117, 180/271, 248/349.1, 248/678, 280/79.11, 280/504, 280/124.12, 280/164.1, 280/6.157, 280/656, 404/6, 404/10, 404/14, 404/15, 404/16, 404/71, 404/84.05, 404/169, 340/907, 340/988, 414/430, 414/229, 414/522, 414/537, 177/133, 177/209, 410/23, 410/66
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0078 Shock-testing of vehicles

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 a sensor signature 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. Specific geometries for the DME have been discovered that minimize the risk of the DME flipping up and hitting or otherwise damaging or disrupting the ride of typical test vehicles during impact of the test vehicles with the GST, all while minimizing the effect of the DME on the sensor signature of the GST.

Claims

1. A system adapted to test crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, the system comprising:

a base station comprising a computer in electronic communication with the subject vehicle and with a Guided Soft Target (GST);

the Guided Soft Target (GST) comprising;

a soft body in the form of a collision partner; and

removably mounted to a motorized Dynamic Motion Element (DME) and adapted to travel across the ground and into the path of the subject vehicle, the DME having a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is retractable such that the at least one wheel retracts when the subject vehicle drives up onto the DME;

the DME comprising an exterior body having;

a bottom surface held above the ground by a vertical distance GC by a plurality of wheels attached with and extending down from the DME to the ground;

a top substantially horizontal surface above the bottom surface, the top surface above the ground by a vertical distance H;

a front upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a first angle to the ground;

a rear upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a second angle to the ground;

a left upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a third angle to the ground;

a right upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a fourth angle to the ground;

the exterior body extending longitudinally by a length L and extending latitudinally by a width W;

wherein;

H is less than 350 millimeters; and

the first, second, third and fourth angles to the ground are no more than 45 degrees;

wherein the DME is adapted to travel across the ground and into the path of the subject vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees;

the second angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees;

the third angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees;

and the fourth angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

GC is no more than 50 millimeters.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

H is no more than 130 millimeters.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the second angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the second angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the third angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the third angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the fourth angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the fourth angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein:

L is no less than 900 millimeters and no more than 4500 millimeters.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein:

L is no less than 2300 millimeters and no more than 2900 millimeters.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein:

W is no less than 900 millimeters and no more than 3100 millimeters.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein:

W is no less than 1500 millimeters and no more than 2100 millimeters.

3. A method of testing crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a system adapted to test crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, the system comprising;

a base station comprising a computer in electronic communication with the subject vehicle and with a Guided Soft Target (GST);

the Guided Soft Target (GST) comprising;

a soft body in the form of a collision partner removably mounted to a motorized Dynamic Motion Element (DME) and adapted to travel across the ground and into the path of the subject vehicle;

the DME having a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is retractable;

the DME comprising an exterior body having;

a bottom surface held above the ground by a vertical distance GC by a plurality of wheels attached with and extending down from the DME to the ground;

a top substantially horizontal surface above the bottom surface, the top surface above the ground by a vertical distance H;

a front upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a first angle to the ground;

a rear upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a second angle to the ground;

a left upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a third angle to the ground;

a right upper surface above the bottom surface and below the top surface and at a fourth angle to the ground;

the exterior body extending longitudinally by a length L and extending latitudinally by a width W;

wherein;

H is less than 350 millimeters; and

the first, second, third and fourth angles to the ground are no more than 45 degrees;

wherein the DME is adapted to travel across the ground and into the path of the subject vehicle;

causing the subject vehicle to travel in a first path;

causing the GST to travel in a second path that intersects the first path;

causing the subject vehicle to;

collide with the GST;

impact the soft body of the GST and at least partially remove it from the DME; and

drive up onto at least one of the front, rear, left, or right upper surfaces of the DME; and

causing the at least one wheel to retract when the subject vehicle drives up onto the DME.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the first angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees;

the second angle to the ground is no more than 15 degrees;

the third angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees; and

the fourth angle to the ground is no more than 30 degrees.