Patent Application
20250178554
The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle-safety systems, and specifically to systems and methods for detecting vehicle accidents using on-board sensors, and initiating safety protocols for occupants and vehicle. The system and method is applicable to both electric and internal-combustion vehicles.
Safety challenges inherent in modern vehicles call for innovations that enhance occupant safety during and after collisions. Among safety challenges, batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) are subject to thermal runaway, a chain reaction within the battery in which a rising temperature causes additional heating, leading to a rapid release of energy, and potentially fire. Thermal runaway may result from external short-circuits caused by damage to wiring outside an EV's battery pack. Internal short circuits can result from impact from accidents or other damage to the battery pack, initiating thermal runaway. EVs are equipped with sophisticated battery-management systems (BMS) that monitor parameters like temperature, voltage and current to ensure safe operation and to prevent overcharging or overheating.
These problems are currently addressed by rapid cooling, fire blankets, and/or special containers. Rapid cooling is done by dousing the battery with large amounts of water to absorb heat and slow the thermal runaway process. Fire blankets or specialized containers are sometimes used to contain the fire in controlled environments or with smaller batteries than those used in a vehicle.
Modern vehicles have sensors and cameras that monitor aspects of the vehicle and its surroundings. Yaw-rate sensors, which measure a vehicle's rotation on its vertical axis, are used in stability-control systems. A steering-angle sensor measures the angle of a steering wheel. Accelerometers measure the vehicle's acceleration and deceleration. Gyroscopes measure a vehicle's rate of rotation. Impact sensors are designed to detect the force of an impact. They can be mechanical switches or electronic sensors that measure pressure or deformation of auto body components. Pressure sensors in doors detect the sudden pressure changes that occur during a side impact. Wheel-speed sensors monitor the rotational speed of each wheel, detecting impending accidents by sudden or uneven changes in wheel speed from skidding or loss of traction. Temperature sensors monitor the temperature of a battery compartment in an electric vehicle to provide early detection of overheating that may lead to thermal runaway. Water sensors detect water intrusion or submersion. A GPS module provides location data to assist emergency responders. Some vehicles integrate data from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors such as cameras and radar to aid in accident detection. For example, sudden braking or swerving detected by these sensors may be combined with data from accelerometers to provide a fuller picture of an accident.
Automobile electronics, including computers, electrical cables, and software protocols, are together known as a controller-area network (CAN), or CANbus. A CAN is a vehicle's main computer system. Through the CANbus, data travels through the system to the many subsystems such as those controlling the engine, the transmission, doors, windows, and other subsystems. Each of these subsystems is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). Current vehicles may have fifty or more ECUs, each able to sense signals indicating, for example: acceleration at various angles; voltage; pressure; braking; vehicle roll and yaw; steering angle; temperature, and other variables. The CANbus routes signals from sensors to computers as communicated by each ECU. An ECU can monitor voltage used by a subsystem and communicate that information through the CANbus to actuate, for instance, stopping a power-sliding door from closing on a passenger's limb, or adjusting a fuel injector's performance.
Adding to or changing a vehicle's electronic features once required extensive wiring. With the development of CAN in the last forty years, feature development (such as adding passenger-controlled climate options) has become physically easier because each new feature can now be added by programming the new computer code into the CAN. Now, all vehicle features as well as vehicle diagnostics are controlled via CAN, which uses a standardized protocol called OBD-II. New features can be integrated into a vehicle by developing and uploading an algorithm into the vehicle's CAN.
Current technologies may not adequately address the multifaceted risks associated with vehicle accidents, particularly those involving high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles, as well as those involving fuel systems in combustion vehicles.
The present invention is a system and method for detecting vehicle accidents using on-board sensors to activate a series of safety protocols. The system is designed to detect specific vehicle accidents through various on-board sensors and cameras. Some on-board sensors include a GPS module, water sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, impact sensors, temperature sensors, a yaw-rate sensor, a steering-angle sensor, pressure sensors, wheel-speed sensors and on-board cameras. Signals from each sensor are received in a central processing unit and the signals are processed by an application. A set of normal signals for each sensor, also referred to as a predetermined set of norms, is monitored by the application. When signals from one or more sensor(s) read outside of the set of norms, an accident is acknowledged. Depending on the sensors reading outside of a set of norms, a specific accident is determined and a specific accident protocol is initiated. For example, pressure sensors, impact sensors, and yaw rate sensor readings outside of a set of norms may signal an impact. An exit protocol and a light signal protocol may be initiated to allow passengers to exit the vehicle and to alert other drivers and emergency personnel as to the location of the vehicle.
When an accident or a collision is detected, the system initiates specific safety protocols designed to initiate solutions to specific situations. Signals from sensors are received in a central processing unit that processes data to determine whether an accident or collision has occurred, what type of accident has occurred and which protocol is to be initiated. In many protocols a GPS module provides location data that may be used to determine if the vehicle is in a safe location and may further be transmitted to emergency responders. Sensor data is confirmed with camera image data when applicable.
An example protocol reads signals from a water sensor to detect water intrusion or submersion. In this example, an egress protocol enables egress from a vehicle by rolling down windows, disengaging door latches, opening motorized doors or hatches, or unlatching a rear hatch. On-board cameras may be used to confirm the presence of water in or around the vehicle. A GPS module may be used to determine if the vehicle is on land or in water. Signals from a gyroscope may determine that the vehicle is right-side up and my open a sunroof to further support egress from the vehicle.
Signals from temperature sensors may determine that a battery or cell is of a higher temperature than a predetermined norm which may initiate a thermal-runaway protocol. A thermal-runaway protocol involves disconnecting a high-voltage battery in an electric vehicle to prevent electrical hazards. This protocol may deploy an on-board fire suppression mechanism if a battery compartment is damaged or if thermal runaway is detected. Cooling methods and/or fire suppression blankets, chemicals or similar tools and methods may be used to quell thermal runaway. For example, a furled fire suppression blanket may be unfurled to cover a battery compartment to contain and suffocate a fire in a set of batteries. A reservoir of coolant may be dispersed over the battery compartment or over a specific hot area.
Signals from yaw rate sensors, steering angle sensors, impact sensors, wheel speed sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes may be interpreted to determine that an accident has occurred. A fuel cut-off protocol shuts off a fuel system in an internal combustion vehicle to prevent fuel discharge or fire.
Signals from yaw rate sensors, steering angle sensors, impact sensors, wheel speed sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes may be interpreted to determine that an accident has occurred and that the vehicle is not moving. Images from on-board cameras are received in the central processing unit and processed to refine sensor data, to determine movement or non-movement of a vehicle, location of the vehicle on pavement or off-road. Camera data may, for example refine sensor data by determining that the vehicle is not moving by interpreting the imagery surrounding the vehicle, from forward-facing and rearward facing cameras, as changing or stationary. Information from a GPS module may determine that the vehicle is in a remote area or not on a road. A lighting-alert protocol activates exterior lights including headlights and hazard lights that signal for help and alert other drivers and emergency personnel of the location of the vehicle.
In many cases safety protocols involve the actuation of existing vehicle actuators that may be controlled through the vehicle CANbus. For example, windows may be automatically opened using existing electric window opening actuators. Doors may be unlocked using existing electric locks. Lights may be illuminated automatically by engaging existing electric switches.
When signals from sensors and cameras are processed and determined to be inconsistent with normal driving activity, the program in the central processing unit 142 initiates one or more protocols specific to the sensor readings and the likely accident situation. Protocols include a water-exit protocol 132, a thermal-runaway protocol 134, a fuel-cut-off protocol 136, a lighting-alert protocol 138 and an egress protocol 140.
In an example embodiment, a water-exit protocol 132 responds to a water-sensor 126 reading in which water in the vehicle is sufficient to indicate water submersion. This causes the program to initiate the water-exit protocol 132 which automatically opens windows to provide egress. In some embodiments, doors are automatically unlocked, a sunroof may be opened and motorized doors may be opened.
A thermal-runaway protocol 134 responds to excessive heat in a battery compartment measured by temperature sensors 124. The thermal runaway protocol 134 engages fire-suppression measures and may respond by dousing the battery compartment, or a specific portion of the battery compartment, with coolant stored in a reservoir. This protocol may actuate an apparatus to cover the battery compartment with a fire-suppression blanket by unfurling a furled fire-suppression blanket. In another example chemicals such as fire foam or other fire-suppression measures known in the art are dispersed over a battery compartment.
A fuel cut-off protocol 136 closes off fuel lines to reduce or eliminate fuel spillage. A lighting-alert protocol 138 engages vehicle lights such as hazard lights, headlights, tail lights and other indicators to signal for help. An egress protocol 140 automatically opens windows, unlocks doors and generally opens the vehicle for egress in water-submersion or accident situations.
In the aforementioned example where the vehicle has triggered the yaw-rate sensor 110, steering-angle sensor 112, gyroscope(s) 116 and GPS 128, signaling that the vehicle has experienced considerable yaw and has gone off the road, the instructions may initiate a fuel cut-off protocol 136, a lighting-alert protocol 138, and an egress protocol 140.
In the event of a significant reading from a water sensor 126 the program initiates an egress protocol 140, opening windows, unlocking doors and the like. This is critical to prevent occupants from becoming trapped, as water pressure outside the vehicle can make it difficult or impossible to open the doors once fully submerged. Opening windows ensures an exit route and increases the chances of a successful escape and rescue.
