Intelligent Hydraulic Bumper for Frontal Collision Mitigation

Abstract

A proposal for collision mitigation is investigated in this paper. Two intelligently controlled hvdraulic cylinders is proposed to be extended prior to collision and absorb impact energy upon engagement with the other body. Feasibility and performance of collision mitigation were investigated with a simulation of the collision dynamics. Two phases of control were considered; pre-collision control and collision control. Various collision scenarios have been studied with view of predicting collision and proposing a pre-collision control strategy for activating the proposed hydraulic bumper. A learning digital computer pre-collision control is proposed. For the purpose of this research a 0.5 m stroke hydraulic cylinders is used to act as an effective extension of the crash zone. A specially adapted fast response hydraulic flow control valve is proposed with certain collision control law. The collision control law aims at controlling the collision force at a given level corresponding to occupants acceleration not exceeding 20g. Simulation results revealed a maximum level of 15g deceleration could be achieved in a 30 mph collision.