In emerging markets, especially in India and other similar countries, the growing traffic density on the roads leads to different types of accidents, including frontal head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions, collisions with fixed objects such as electric poles, trees, road guard rails, road dividers, and accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheelers. These accidents could be due to over speeding, distracted driving, violation of traffic rules, and inadequate road infrastructure etc. Providing the necessary safety restraint systems (Airbags and Seat belts) in vehicles and ensuring their robust functionality in different real-world accident scenarios will be challenging for vehicle manufacturers. It is high time to redefine the traditional collision-sensing architecture strategies with a logical approach based on a thorough study of available accident data statistics, types of objects, and scenarios leading to severe accidents. Among these, rear-end collisions (such as car-to-truck under-ride), side collisions, and head-on collision accident cases are increasing day by day. Ineffective sensing of collision signals and inadequate functionality of the safety restraint system can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. It is imperative to improvise the collision sensing system architecture and place the crash sensors inventively at optimal locations in the vehicle with an innovative approach for the early detection of collision signals and for the robust functionality of the safety restraint systems to mitigate occupant injuries and reduce fatalities to the maximum extent.
This technical paper describes the thought process and methodology used to improve collision sensing techniques for the robust functionality of safety restraint systems in rear-end collisions (mainly car-to-truck underride), side impact collisions, head-on collisions, and undercarriage/underbody scraping scenarios (especially for EV battery packs). This innovative collision-sensing architecture system can be introduced in vehicles to cater to the needs of robust functionality of safety restraint systems (Airbags and Seat belts) in different real-world accident scenarios to protect vehicle users with improvisation in the existing situations while ensuring fuel cut-off in the case of ICE and high-voltage cut-off in the case of EV vehicles.