초록 ▼

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 ris

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.

대표청구항 ▼

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

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; andan electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system attached with and capable of applying braking force to one or more of the plurality of wheels. 2. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system is capable of applying braking force to each of the plurality of wheels independently. 3. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels include at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, and wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system is capable of applying braking force to the at least one front wheels independently from the at least one rear wheels. 4. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises: a plurality of electronically-controlled servos each mechanically coupled to separate master cylinders that are each hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, each braking mechanism mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels. 5. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises: a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels. 6. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises: a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a third electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a third master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels. 7. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises: a first electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a first master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a second electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a second master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a third electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a third master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, a fourth electronically-controlled servo mechanically coupled to a fourth master cylinder that is hydraulically coupled to at least one braking mechanism, wherein each braking mechanism is mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels. 8. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, comprising a plurality of electronically-controlled servos that are independently-controllable by a computer on-board the Dynamic Motion Element. 9. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electronically-controlled servos are independently-controllable by wireless signals. 10. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electronically-controlled servos are independently-controllable by a computer on-board the Dynamic Motion Element, and at least one of the electronically-controlled servos are also independently-controllable by wireless signals. 11. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the braking system comprises anti-lock brakes. 12. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the braking system comprises stability control. 13. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the braking system comprises separate hydraulic fluid reservoirs for separate master cylinders. 14. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the Dynamic Motion Element is adapted to receive wireless communication signals from a remote communication source, the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system adapted to apply braking force to at least one of the wheels when wireless communication signals are not received from the remote communication source. 15. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 1, wherein the electronically-controlled hydraulic braking system further comprises: at least one wheel being mechanically coupled to a plurality of separately-actuated braking mechanisms. 16. The Dynamic Motion Element of claim 15, wherein the separately-actuated braking mechanisms are each actuated hydraulically by separate master cylinders. 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. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of electronically controlling the braking system to change the relative amounts of braking force among the wheels is accomplished by wireless communication with the Dynamic Motion Element. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of electronically controlling the braking system to change the relative amounts of braking force among the wheels is accomplished automatically by a computer based on feedback from one or more sensors on the Dynamic Motion Element. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more sensors include any of: sensors that output signals corresponding to the rotational speed of one or more of the wheels; and sensors that output signals corresponding to forces on one or more of the wheels.