Moveable internal shock-absorbing energy dissipation padding in an autonomous vehicle

摘要

Described herein is utilization of nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) in an autonomous on-road vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a side window located at eye level of an occupant who sits in the vehicle. The side window enables the occupant to see the outside environment. A motor is configured to move the SAEDP over a sliding mechanism between first and second states. A processor is configured to command the motor to move the SAEDP from the first state to the second state responsive to an indication that a probability of an imminent collision reaches a threshold. In the first state, the SAEDP does not block the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment, and in the second state, the SAEDP blocks the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment in order to protect the occupant's head against hitting the side window during collision.

主权项

1. An autonomous on-road vehicle, comprising:
a side window located at eye level of an occupant who sits in the vehicle; whereby the window enables the occupant to see the outside environment; a nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP); a motor configured to move the SAEDP over a sliding mechanism between first and second states multiple times without having to be repaired; and a processor configured to receive, from an autonomous-driving control system, an indication that a probability of an imminent collision reaches a threshold, and to command the motor to move the SAEDP from the first state to the second state; wherein in the first state the SAEDP does not block the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment, and in the second state the SAEDP blocks the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment in order to protect the occupant's head against hitting the side window during collision.