Abstract:
An active monitoring and crash mitigation system and method for race vehicles. Various sensors are connected directly or wirelessly as inputs to a control module that monitors vehicle and track characteristics to determine if an accident is imminent or has occurred. Programmable criteria in the control module determine whether corrective action is needed and the best course of action for avoiding hazards. Corrective action is achieved by triggering devices that alter the vehicle&#39;s speed, lift forces, and down forces. The corrective actions force the vehicle back to the ground and/or reduce its speed to reduce the seriousness of an incident. Indicators notify the driver of the imminent or current deployment of corrective action, an accident, and/or the relative safety of various paths forward. Various implementations of this system and method reduce and/or eliminate race vehicles from reaching a catch fence, barrier, or other objects that pose great risk to both the driver and spectators.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/990,432, filed May 08, 2014; Titled: Active monitoring and crash mitigation system for race vehicles; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This system and method relates to the field of race vehicle safety. More specifically, it comprises a system and method for detecting a vehicle&#39;s potential for crashing, notifying the driver of this potential, and then inducing forces on the vehicle via direct and indirect means to keep it on the ground and reduce speed of impact. Furthermore, the system may be&#39;linked with other vehicle systems and/or a master monitoring and control system to share information and commands in order to improve accident avoidance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are many known devices for detecting the need for and then affecting these forces or applying other forces on a vehicle for an intended safety purpose. One example is the flaps on the hood and roof of racing cars that automatically open when a vehicles turns sideways. These flaps change the forces on the vehicle in an attempt to prevent them from spinning completely around thus minimizing the chance for air to get under the vehicle and lift it off the ground. These flaps typically are actuated by airflow and pressure differentials such that they are not an externally controlled device. Additionally, these flaps require that the vehicle has changed direction significantly such that they may respond. 
         [0004]    Another example would be parachutes on drag vehicles. The chutes are manually actuated to deploy out of the rear of the vehicle with the intended purpose to slow the vehicle down, most commonly at the conclusion of a race. These parachutes are not automatically released and must be triggered by the driver manually. 
         [0005]    A more recent example would be the rear bumpers on open-wheel racing cars in the Indy Car series. These bumpers are intended to prevent wheel-to-wheel contact, which has been identified as a major cause for vehicles to go airborne. While bumpers reduce the wheel-to-wheel contact that can lead to airborne vehicles, they do not address other causes. 
         [0006]    In recent years, racing has seen larger and more dangerous wrecks. A number of these wrecks have resulted in vehicles going off course or airborne and crashing into the catch fences. Catch fences are used as a method to contain a vehicle (and its parts) that goes off course or become airborne. When the vehicle hits this catch fence, it breaks into several pieces, some of which go through or over the fence. In these circumstances the driver and the audience are exposed to great risk of injuries and/or death. 
         [0007]    Existing technology consists of mechanical flaps, bumpers, constraint systems, or mechanically actuated devices like parachutes and brakes. These devices do not perform adequately as vehicles are still going off course or airborne at high speed. Additionally, technologies such as flagmen and electronic light systems often do not provide adequate accident avoidance. 
         [0008]    Therefore there is a need for a better system and method that combines sensors/inputs and devices/communication to intelligently avoid accidents and/or alter the forces on a vehicle to prevent it from going airborne and/or reduce the speed of impact, thereby preventing or at least reducing the damages and injuries/deaths accompanying such accident/incidents. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present system and method combine sensors/inputs and devices/communication to intelligently avoid accidents and/or alter the forces on a vehicle to prevent it from going airborne and/or reduce the speed of impact. Sensors attached to the vehicle monitor various characteristics of the vehicle such as, but not limited to: elevation from course surface, speed, aerodynamic pressure, course location, loft, roll, deceleration, shock travel, crash sensors, and change in directional orientation. These sensors feed information to a variety of information and control systems, both on and off the vehicle, and their programmed software that compares the data against pre-established and real-time developed criteria. If the data from the sensors is outside of programmable ranges, the various systems responds by notifying the driver and actuating devices that affect speed and/or forces on the vehicle. Communications from other vehicles and/or a remote master monitoring control system can provide additional inputs to the various on-board systems that can either determine, or respond to a external to the vehicle, and command trigger responses and/or notify the driver of action to take, course conditions, and the like. 
         [0010]    These corrective forces are primarily, but not limited to, speed limits, down-force, lift, and drag. The forces can be achieved by changing the angle of wings on the vehicle, opening flaps, actuating airbrakes, deploying a parachute, inflating an airbag, engine rev limiting, or automatically applying the vehicle brakes. An example is the automatic change in angle of the front wings of the car to generate higher down-forces, thus pushing the front of the vehicle back to the ground. Another example is the deployment of a parachute from the rear of the vehicle, which slows the vehicle and prevents the vehicle from flipping end-over-end. 
         [0011]    The criteria for actuation or deployment of the devices are programmable and adjustable; the actuation can be either taken on an individual system basis, in conjunction with other passive or self-adjusting systems, or in a concerted response across several coordinating systems. In the present invention, such actions can be either taken before, as or after a detectable issue arises; however, in the case of the present invention, they are preferentially configured to trigger before the forces of lift exceed the down forces on the vehicle. Additional or alternative criteria are set to trigger in events where the vehicle does not go airborne, but loses control and goes off course. Still other criteria could include; in various embodiments, car-to-car and/or remote master monitoring and control system communications where a vehicle is notified of an incident and its location(s) on the course in an effort to avoid it and/or force the notified vehicle to respond (such as by imposition of a speed/engine rev limit). 
         [0012]    Sensors related to vehicle speed and location could also be used to alter the reaction of the remote or local control system; in the case of the present invention, by communicating with a remediation control module. An example would be the speed of the vehicle: if the speed was below the threshold for lift generated by air or below a threshold that prevents injuries, the control module would not respond to the criteria that would otherwise apply to outputs of other sensors. Similarly, the location of the vehicle could trigger or prevent the control module from responding; an off-path location could be set to automatically trigger the control module, while a location known to not be of concern could prevent response by the control module. 
         [0013]    In some implementations, indication is given to vehicle drivers/operators in addition to, or instead of, the remediation equipment installed on the vehicle. For example, the system might notify the driver of proximity to a dangerous situation or incident and furthermore guide them away to avoid impact by providing guidance instructions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but are instead to illustrate certain, but not all, attributes of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of how devices are connected in the illustrated example system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a vehicle showing the loft angle and associated forces. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a vehicle showing the angle of roll. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view of a vehicle in the air showing possible sensor locations. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view of a vehicle with a deployed parachute and flaps. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of vehicles on a course with location boundaries. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of one approach for logic sequence in the control module. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0022]    The present invention is further detailed by providing below a table of the numerals used in the figures described above along with a short title for each. These figures and associated numerals are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but are instead to illustrate certain, but not all, attributes of the invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 control module 
                 11 
                 power sources 
                 12 
                 sensor(s) 
               
               
                 13 
                 device(s) 
               
               
                 20 
                 vehicle 
                 21 
                 vehicle weight 
                 22 
                 rear wheel height 
               
               
                 23 
                 front wheel height 
                 24 
                 loft angle 
                 25 
                 down force 
               
               
                 26 
                 lift force 
               
               
                 30 
                 left side wheel 
                 31 
                 right side wheel 
                 32 
                 roll angle 
               
               
                   
                 height 
                   
                 height 
               
               
                 40 
                 diffuser sensor 
                 41 
                 left side height 
                 42 
                 rear height sensor 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 sensor 
               
               
                 43 
                 right side height 
                 44 
                 front height 
               
               
                   
                 sensor 
                   
                 sensor 
               
               
                 50 
                 parachute 
                 51 
                 front wing 
                 52 
                 flaps/airbrakes 
               
               
                 53 
                 rear wing 
               
               
                 60 
                 course 
                 61 
                 disabled area 
                 62 
                 deployment area 
               
               
                 63 
                 off-course position 
                 64 
                 on curb position 
                 65 
                 inside edge 
               
               
                 66 
                 outside edge 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Various embodiments are described more fully below with references to drawings, but not all embodiments are shown in figures. The present disclosure may be embodied in many forms or combinations and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described below. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows one approach for connecting system components together. The control module  10  is optionally powered by one or more power sources  11 . The power sources  11  may be in the form of a power supply, battery, or vehicle power. The power from these devices may directly or indirectly power the sensors  12  that monitor characteristics of the vehicle  20 . The control module  10  analyzes data from the sensors  12  and uses some of the data to calculate characteristics of the vehicle  20  such as loft angle  24  and roll angle  32 . The data from the sensors  12  and or the calculated characteristics are compared against criteria inside the control module  10 . 
         [0025]    The criteria are fixed or programmable set points or ranges that the control module  10  compares against the current data received from the sensors  12 . If current data is outside of a set point or allowable range then the control module  10  will trigger devices  13  that affect the forces on the vehicle  20 . The devices  13  that are employed may include but are not limited to one or more of the following: parachute(s)  50 , front wing(s)  51 , flap(s) &amp; airbrake(s)  52 , rear wing(s)  53 , automatic application of the vehicle brakes, and air bag(s). Additionally, there may be circumstances when the driver of the vehicle  20  wishes to manually trigger these devices and may optionally do so with a button or other devices located near the driver. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates one circumstance that the control module  10  would be programmed to account for. In this circumstance the front wheel height  23  is greater than the rear wheel height  22 . This situation can occur in many ways such as: contact with another vehicle or debris, hitting a curb or other bump on or off the course  60 , coming over a hill, or failure of a vehicle component(s). The control module  10  may calculate a loft angle  24  by using vehicle height data from the rear height sensor  42  and front height sensor  44 . Optionally, the control module  10  may utilize other sensors  12  such as a gyro, altimeter, and or accelerometers to determine the loft angle  24 . The control module  10  will compare the loft angle  24  against criteria for maximum allowable loft. The maximum allowable angle would be set for an angle in which the lift force  26  generated by air pushing on the bottom of the vehicle  20  is less than the combination of the vehicle weight  21  plus the down force on the vehicle  20 . When the loft angle  24  reaches the maximum allowable angle the control module  10  would trigger one or more devices  13 . The devices triggered will affect the forces on the vehicle  20  to force the vehicle  20  back down onto the course  60 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates another circumstance that the control module  10  could optionally be programmed to account for. In this circumstance one side of the vehicle  20  is raised off of the ground. The specific example illustrated shows the right side wheel height  31  is higher than the left side wheel height  30 . This situation can occur in many ways such as: contact with another vehicle or debris, hitting a curb or other bump on or off the course  60 , or other situation. The control module  10  may calculate the roll angle  32  by using height data from the left side height sensor  41  and right side height sensor  43 . Optionally, the control module  10  may utilize other sensors  12  such as a gyro, altimeter, and or accelerometers to determine the loft angle  24 . The control module  10  will compare the roll angle  32  against criteria for maximum allowable roll. When the roll angle  32  reaches the maximum allowable angle the control module  10  would trigger one or more devices  13 . The devices triggered will affect the forces on the vehicle  20  to force the vehicle  20  back down onto the course  60 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates another circumstance that the control module  10  could optionally be programmed to account for. In this circumstance the vehicle  20  is entering an off-course position  63  as determined by a sensor  12 . Various sensors  12  may be used to determine location such as, but not limited to, a GPS. The location is constantly monitored by the control module  10  to determine if the vehicle  20  enters a deployment area  62 . When the vehicle  20  enters a deployment area  62  the control module  10  will trigger one or more devices  13  which will affect the forces on the vehicle  20  to slow it down and/or keep it on the ground. The deployment area  62  would be set at some distance from the inside edge  65  and/or outside edge  66  of the course  60 . Additional locations not associated with an edge of the course  60  could optionally be monitored. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  also illustrates another optional feature the system may have. It shows the vehicle  20  in an on-curb position  64 . This is a common occurrence in racing that causes the vehicle  20  to bounce and roll. In this circumstance it would be undesirable for the control module  10  to trigger a device  13 . The system may employ a sensor  12  that monitors the location of vehicle  20  via a GPS of other suitable method. The control module  10  would constantly monitor vehicle  20 , and if the vehicle  20  enters a “disabled area”  61 , it would not trigger a device  13  regardless of sensor  12  data. The disabled area  61  would be set at some distance from the inside edge  65  and or outside edge  66  of the course  60 . Additional locations not associated with an edge of the course  60  could optionally be monitored. 
         [0030]    The control module  10  employs one or more sensors  12  to determine when one or more devices  13  should be triggered. Depending on the circumstance, sensors may be used individually or in combination; as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , which illustrates one approach for a logic sequence. These sensors  12  may include but are not limited to those described below. 
         [0031]    A sensor  12  that determines vehicle location such as a GPS can be used as described above to automatically trigger a device  13  or prevent a trigger of a device  13  by the control module  10 . 
         [0032]    A sensor  12  that monitors vehicle speed may be employed to disable the system at lower speeds that pose a lower risk of incident. 
         [0033]    A sensor  12  that monitors height of the vehicle  20  in various locations, as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be used to determine roll angle  32 , loft angle  24 , and other criteria to trigger a device  13 . 
         [0034]    A sensor  12  that monitors pressure may be employed in one or more locations on vehicle  20 , such as a diffuser sensor  40  shown in  FIG. 4 . Diffuser sensor  40  will detect negative pressure when the vehicle  20  is at speed due to the shape of the vehicle  20  body. If the vehicle  20  were to lift off of the ground this sensor would see a change in pressure and this change could be used to set criteria in the control module  10  to trigger a device  13 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, a sensor  12  that detects changes in airflow or pressure by means of a mechanical flap, similar to those on some race cars, sends an electronic signal to the control module  10 . These flaps automatically change position when the air flow or pressure changes on the vehicle  20  in a manner that is known to be of issue. When one or more of these flaps change position, the control module  10  is programmed to trigger a device  13 . 
         [0036]    A sensor  12  that detects rotation and/or angle such as a gyroscope or accelerometer may be employed to detect sudden changes in speed and or direction, roll angle  32 , loft angle  24  and other vehicle  20  characteristics. The control module  10  may use this data to trigger one or more devices  13 . 
         [0037]    A sensor  12  that detects a crash, similar to those in street cars, may be employed as an input to the control module  10 . When a crash is detected, the control module  10  is programmed to trigger one or more devices  13 . 
         [0038]    Additional sensors associated with the vehicle  20  such as shock extension and retraction, brake status, engine status, body damage, fire, and other sensors that will occur to those skilled in the art serve as additional inputs into the control module  10 . 
         [0039]    The control module  10  triggers devices  13  to affect the forces on the vehicle  20  for the intended purpose to force it back to the ground, keep it on the ground, and or slow it down to minimize collision impact and minimize potential for the vehicle  20  to go airborne. By keeping the vehicle on the ground and slowing it down the seriousness of a crash is reduced. To achieve the reduction in speed and/or keeping the vehicle  20  on the ground, one or more devices are triggered. These devices include, but are not limited to, one or more of the devices described below. 
         [0040]    A device  13  may include the deployment of a parachute  50  from the vehicle  20 .  FIG. 5  illustrates one approach in which the parachute  50  exits the rear of the vehicle  20 . The parachute  50  reduces the speed of the vehicle  20  and changes the forces exerted on the vehicle  20  such that it is brought back to the ground after detecting a loft angle  24  that is equal to or exceeds the maximum angle allowed. The parachute  50  may also be deployed under one or more of the circumstances described previously. 
         [0041]    A device  13  may include flaps or airbrakes  52  that open from one or more locations on the vehicle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Flaps or airbrakes are aerodynamic features that move to alter air flow patterns, pressures, and drag on a vehicle. Flaps could be designed to increase down force  25  and/or reduce lift force  26  and/or increase drag on the vehicle  20 . 
         [0042]    A device  13  may include altering the angle of wings or body panels on the vehicle to adjust the down force  25  and/or lift force  26  and/or drag on the vehicle  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, increasing the angle of the front wing  51  would increase the down force  25 , which would push the front of the vehicle  20  down. Similarly, increasing the angle of the rear wing  53  would increase down force  25  and would also increase drag, which would slow the vehicle  20 . 
         [0043]    A device  13  may include the vehicle&#39;s  20  braking system. The control module  10  could be designed to trigger the brakes to assist in braking and slowing of the vehicle. This would be particularly applicable if the driver&#39;s feet were to come off the brakes for any reason. 
         [0044]    A device  13  may take other forms, such as airbags, detachable panels, or other means of achieving the desired effect, as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0045]    A device  13  is triggered by the control module  10 . The trigger refers to the action of releasing the device  13  to perform its purpose. The trigger may take several forms such as, but not limited to: propellant or ballistics to release a parachute  50  or airbag at high speed, springs and/or actuators to open air brakes  52  or flaps or body panels, latches to hold flaps or body panels closed unless triggered, actuators and/or motors to change front wing  51  and/or rear wing  53  orientation. 
         [0046]    In variations of these embodiments of the invention, control module  10  also takes as inputs real-time information transmitted wirelessly from other vehicles and/or a master control system. 
         [0047]    In various implementations of systems according to the disclosure, one or more indicators notify the driver of a dangerous condition or incident and provide proximity and/guidance to avoid the location. The guidance may be in the form of a visual indication of proximity and/or a left-to-right indication of a safe path in contrast with a dangerous path. One implementation is a visual display that shows either the left, middle, and or right portions of the track blocked with the not blocked portions of the course showing clear. 
         [0048]    As a further example of an embodiment example, in  FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of one of many possible logic sequences that could be employed. Alternatives to the selected sensors  12 , devices  13 , control modules  10 , and power supplies  11  would not materially alter the nature of the system and method. One example is that the control module  10  could be an electronic device, electrical relay system, a combination mechanical and electrical system, general-purpose or special-purpose processor, ASIC, controller or other controller. 
         [0049]    While the present invention has been shown and described in its various implementation embodiments herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.