Devices, systems, and methods for testing crash avoidance technologies
DCFirst Claim
1. A Dynamic Motion Element for use in testing crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, the Dynamic Motion Element comprising:
- a body comprising an upper surface wherein the upper surface is adapted to support a soft-body having the size and shape of a vehicle, the body having at least one tapered side so as to allow the subject vehicle to drive up to and on the upper surface with minimal to no damage to the subject vehicle or the Dynamic Motion Element, the 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 one or more of the plurality of wheels.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A Dynamic Motion Element for use in testing crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, the Dynamic Motion Element comprising:
-
a body comprising an upper surface wherein the upper surface is adapted to support a soft-body having the size and shape of a vehicle, the body having at least one tapered side so as to allow the subject vehicle to drive up to and on the upper surface with minimal to no damage to the subject vehicle or the Dynamic Motion Element, the 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 one or more of the plurality of wheels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of electronically changing the braking bias among the wheels of a Dynamic Motion Element for use in testing crash avoidance technologies in a subject vehicle, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a Dynamic Motion Element comprising; a body comprising an upper surface wherein the upper surface is adapted to support a soft-body having the size and shape of a vehicle, the body having at least one tapered side so as to allow the subject vehicle to drive up to and on the upper surface with minimal to no damage to the subject vehicle or the Dynamic Motion Element, the 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; andelectronically 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification