Design and Simulation of Adaptive Low Speed Electro Pneumatic Frontal Impact Absorption System for Crossover Vehicles

Abstract

Vehicle frontal low-speed impact causes vehicle frontal component damage and driver injuries. In the conventional vehicle frontal impact protection system, the frontal foam and reinforcing bar reduce the amount of damage and the degree of injuries. It is the fact that heavier opponent needs stiffer structure and lighter opponent needs less stiff structure but those structural components behave similarly in every crash situation, this clearly shows that if the frontal impact protection system behaves adaptively it can fulfill the requirements in both situations. This work deals with the usage of the controlled pneumatic actuator as a low speed and adaptable impact absorber in the vehicle frontal-impact absorption system to create dynamic behavior of impact absorber and achieve sufficient damping during the event of a crash. In this work air spring, the dynamic property is simulated using ABAQUS simulation software, and all-controlling electrical and electro-pneumatic components behavior is animated by using both PROTEUS 8 PROFESSIONAL and ARDUINO and the comparisons is done with the mechanical impact absorber. The result of electro-pneumatic shows a sufficiently good agreement with the physical parameter taken and the controlled system able to execute and take action within 15 microseconds, which is less than the impact duration for low-speed frontal crash and stiffer air spring column is maintained when the severity of the crash is higher by comparing speed and distance between cars and less stiff air spring column is maintained when the severity of the crash is minimum. Finally, it is found that adaptive impact absorption system has the ability to respond for different crash scenario’s with in the speed range between 1kph up to 50kph while the mechanical crash absorber takes an impact happened between 18kph up to 43kph.Vehicle Frontal Low-Speed Impact Causes Vehicle Frontal Component Damage And Driver Injuries. In The Conventional Vehicle Frontal Impact Protection System, The Frontal Foam And Reinforcing Bar Reduce The Amount Of Damage And The Degree Of Injuries. It Is The Fact That Heavier Opponent Needs Stiffer Structure And Lighter Opponent Needs Less Stiff Structure But Those Structural Components Behave Similarly In Every Crash Situation, This Clearly Shows That If The Frontal Impact Protection System Behaves Adaptively It Can Fulfill The Requirements In Both Situations. This Work Deals With The Usage Of The Controlled Pneumatic Actuator As A Low Speed And Adaptable Impact Absorber In The Vehicle Frontal-Impact Absorption System To Create Dynamic Behavior Of Impact Absorber And Achieve Sufficient Damping During The Event Of A Crash. In This Work Air Spring, The Dynamic Property Is Simulated Using Abaqus Simulation Software, And All-Controlling Electrical And Electro-Pneumatic Components Behavior Is Animated By Using Both Proteus 8 Professional And Arduino And The Comparisons Is Done With The Mechanical Impact Absorber. The Result Of Electro-Pneumatic Shows A Sufficiently Good Agreement With The Physical Parameter Taken And The Controlled System Able To Execute And Take Action Within 15 Microseconds, Which Is Less Than The Impact Duration For Low-Speed Frontal Crash And Stiffer Air Spring Column Is Maintained When The Severity Of The Crash Is Higher By Comparing Speed And Distance Between Cars And Less Stiff Air Spring Column Is Maintained When The Severity Of The Crash Is Minimum. Finally, It Is Found That Adaptive Impact Absorption System Has The Ability To Respond For Different Crash Scenario?�?S With In The Speed Range Between 1kph Up To 50kph While The Mechanical Crash Absorber Takes An Impact Happened Between 18kph Up To 43kph.