Light impact detection for vehicle using low computation overhead

Abstract

Light or moderate impacts against a vehicle are detected. Measured acceleration and yaw rate are compared to baseline thresholds in a baseline state. When the acceleration is above the threshold, a distance from an estimated impact location to a vehicle center-of-gravity is determined. When the determined distance is less than a vehicle edge distance, an impact-suspected state will be entered if at least one of the acceleration and yaw rate is above the respective threshold for a predetermined duration. In the impact-suspected state, a plurality of vehicle dynamic behaviors are monitored for confirming occurrence of the light impact. A return is made to the baseline state if the acceleration and yaw rate fail to remain above the respective threshold or if the calculated distance fails to remain less than the edge distance. The impact is detected when at least one of the behaviors confirms the occurrence.