A fuzzy logic approach for vehicle collision energy distribution

This paper presents the concept of a novel active buckling control strategy aimed at alleviating the compatibility problem arising when two vehicles of dissimilar mass and stiffness values encounter a collision. The approach assumes that the properties of the vehicle body structures may be changed via actively controlled materials; in particular the smallest positive eigenvalue which corresponds to the point at which buckling commences. The approach is based on a multi-dimensional look-up table combined with fuzzy logic for interpolating between pre-calculated levels of energy absorption related to the stiffness values. By modelling the force versus deformation characteristic, the energy to be absorbed is more appropriately apportioned, thus enhancing vehicle safety.