Dynamic adjustment of seat features for occupant comfort while turning using road preview

Abstract

A vehicle includes a system for controlling a seat in the vehicle. An actuator controls the firmness of the seat. A processor is configured to determine the curvature of a road segment the vehicle is traversing, determine the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle on the road segment, determine the mass of a vehicle occupant (who is seated in the vehicle), calculate the forces on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment based on the curvature of the road segment, the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, and the mass of the occupant, and actuate the actuator to control the firmness of the seat to balance the forces on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This subject matter relates to vehicles, and more particularly to vehicle seats that stabilize occupants against high lateral forces when the vehicle is turning. Background Technology

[0002] Performance vehicles are designed to have enhanced capabilities in acceleration, cornering, braking, and speed. When cornering or navigating bends, performance vehicles may experience high lateral forces. These forces are typically transmitted to occupants, passengers, or the driver, causing them to slide within their seats. To maintain control of the vehicle, it is desirable for occupants, especially the driver, to not slide within their seats. Therefore, it is desirable to provide devices and methods for counteracting or balancing the lateral forces on occupants during cornering. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a vehicle seat is disclosed. The curvature of a road segment the vehicle is traversing is determined. The longitudinal velocity of the vehicle on the road segment is determined. The mass of a vehicle occupant, wherein the occupant is seated in the vehicle, is determined. The forces on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment are calculated based on the road segment curvature, the vehicle's longitudinal velocity, and the occupant's mass. The seat firmness is controlled to balance the forces on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment.

[0004] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes calculating the moment on the occupant as the vehicle passes through a road segment based on force and occupant moment arm, and controlling seat firmness to balance the moment on the occupant as the vehicle passes through the road segment.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes estimating a torque arm for the occupant from an image of the occupant and calculating the torque using the torque arm.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, controlling the firmness of the seat also includes: determining the cushion that receives the force of the occupant, and balancing the force by controlling at least one of the firmness of the cushion and the angle of the cushion.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described in this paper, the method also includes occupant modeling using an occupant's human body model.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes performing calculations on the human model to perform at least one of the following: minimizing occupant drift, minimizing occupant muscle strength, minimizing pressure points on the occupant, and maximizing the occupant comfort score.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes using data from at least one of the following to estimate forces on the occupant: tire pressure sensor, fuel level sensor, wiper sensor, thermometer, and radius of curvature of road segment.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a system for controlling a seat in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an actuator and a processor. The actuator controls the firmness of the seat. The processor is configured to determine the curvature of a road segment the vehicle is traversing, determine the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle on the road segment, determine the mass of a vehicle occupant (where the occupant is seated in the vehicle), calculate the force on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment based on the curvature of the road segment, the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, and the mass of the occupant, and actuate the actuator to control the firmness of the seat to balance the force on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to calculate the torque on the occupants as the vehicle passes through a road segment based on the force and the occupant's torque arm, and to control the seat firmness to balance the torque on the occupants as the vehicle passes through the road segment.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to estimate the occupant's torque arm from an image of the occupant and to calculate the torque using the torque arm.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor is configured to control the firmness of the seat by determining the cushion receiving the occupant's force and balancing the force by controlling at least one of the cushion's firmness and the cushion's angle.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to use a lookup table to control the firmness of the seat, the lookup table including the results of occupant simulation using an occupant mannequin.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the lookup table includes data for at least one of the following: minimizing occupant drift, minimizing occupant muscle strength, minimizing pressure points on the occupant, and maximizing occupant comfort score.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to use data from at least one of the following to estimate forces on the occupant: tire pressure sensor, fuel level sensor, wiper sensor, and thermometer.

[0017] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a seat, an actuator for controlling the firmness of the seat, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine the curvature of a road segment through which the vehicle is traversing, determine the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle on the road segment, determine the mass of an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the occupant is seated in the vehicle, calculate the force on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment based on the curvature of the road segment, the longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, and the mass of the occupant, and activate the actuator to control the firmness of the seat to balance the force on the occupant as the vehicle traverses the road segment.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to calculate the torque on the occupants as the vehicle passes through a road segment based on the force and the occupant's torque arm, and to control the seat firmness to balance the torque on the occupants as the vehicle passes through the road segment.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to estimate the occupant's torque arm from an image of the occupant and to calculate the torque using the torque arm.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the processor is configured to control the firmness of the seat by determining the cushion receiving the occupant's force and balancing the force by controlling at least one of the cushion's firmness and the cushion's angle.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is also configured to use a lookup table to control the firmness of the seat, the lookup table including the results of occupant simulation using an occupant mannequin.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the lookup table includes data for at least one of the following: minimizing occupant drift, minimizing occupant muscle strength, minimizing pressure points on the occupant, and maximizing occupant comfort score.

[0023] The above-described features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, of this disclosure will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features, advantages, and details appear by way of example only in the following detailed description, which is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A perspective view of the vehicle seats in an illustrative embodiment is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 The seat is shown, giving an impression of the occupant's mass and weight distribution on the seat during a right turn;

[0028] Figure 4 The image shows the road section in front of the vehicle.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating lateral or centripetal acceleration on an occupant;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing details of a method for force balancing at the seat cushion;

[0031] Figure 7 A front view of the seat in an illustrative embodiment is shown; and

[0032] Figure 8 The following is shown for illustrative purposes. Figure 7 A view of the seat, with a model of the occupant in the seat. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 Vehicle 100 is shown in a side view. Vehicle 100 can be any type of vehicle. In the illustrative embodiment, vehicle 100 is a performance vehicle or any vehicle capable of cornering or turning at high speeds, resulting in high lateral forces on the occupants. Vehicle 100 includes a seat 102 for occupants, passengers, or a driver. Actuator system 104 communicates with seat 102. Actuator system 104 includes at least one actuator for controlling the seat or seat configuration, as discussed herein.

[0035] Vehicle 100 includes a vehicle sensor system 106 that tracks the vehicle's dynamic parameters, including a speedometer for tracking vehicle speed, a steering wheel sensor for tracking steering wheel angle and / or steering wheel rate, a digital camera, a GPS tracking system, etc. Pressure pad 108 can be used to measure occupant parameters, such as occupant mass. Interior camera 110 can be used to acquire images of the occupant while seated in seat 102.

[0036] Data from the vehicle sensor system 106, pressure pad 108, and / or interior camera 110 may be provided to a controller 112 having a processor 114. The controller 112 may include processing circuitry, which may include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuitry, a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped) executing one or more software or firmware programs, memory, combinational logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components providing the described functionality. The controller 112 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are processed by one or more processors of the controller to implement the processes detailed herein.

[0037] The controller 112 determines the lateral forces and / or moments on the occupant, determines the methods for balancing or counteracting the lateral forces and / or moments to stabilize the occupant in the seat and / or maximize the occupant's comfort, and controls the actuator system 104 to position the seat 102 in a configuration suitable for balancing or counteracting the lateral forces and / or momentum.

[0038] The auxiliary sensor system 116 includes auxiliary sensors that can provide the controller 112 with additional data that can be used to calculate lateral forces and / or moments. The auxiliary sensor system 116 may include, for example, tire pressure sensors, fuel level sensors, wiper sensors, or rain sensors, and a thermometer. The wiper sensor or rain sensor can indicate, for example, wet road conditions, and thus the effect of rain on lateral forces. Similarly, a thermometer can indicate the presence or absence of ice on the road, which may affect lateral forces.

[0039] Figure 2 A perspective view 200 of a seat 102 of a vehicle 100 in an illustrative embodiment is shown. The seat 102 includes a seat base 202, a backrest 204, and a headrest 206. The seat includes multiple cushions that accommodate an occupant and can be adjusted based on lateral forces acting on the occupant. A right seat cushion 208 is located on the right side of the seat base 202 (from the perspective of an occupant in the seat). A left seat cushion 210 is located on the left side of the seat base 202. A right lumbar support cushion 212 is located on the right side of the backrest 204, and a left lumbar support cushion 214 is located on the left side of the backrest. A right headrest 216 is located on the right side of the headrest 206, and a left headrest 218 is located on the left side of the headrest 206. Although six cushions are shown for illustrative purposes, this does not imply limitation on the seat. The seat may include additional cushions that can be used to counteract lateral forces acting on an occupant using the methods disclosed herein.

[0040] Each cushion has an associated actuator that controls the cushion's stability. The right seat cushion 208 and left seat cushion 210 are controlled by right seat actuator 104a and left seat actuator 104b, respectively. The right lumbar support cushion 212 and left lumbar support cushion 214 are controlled by right lumbar actuator 104c and left lumbar actuator 104d, respectively. The right headrest 216 and left headrest 218 are controlled by right headrest actuator 104e and left headrest actuator 104f, respectively. Each actuator can be controlled by a controller 112 (… Figure 1 The signal is controlled separately.

[0041] In various embodiments, the actuator controls the firmness of its associated cushion. The actuator may also control the cushion angle for the cushion. In some embodiments, the actuator may control both the cushion firmness and the cushion angle. Various types of actuators can be used. For illustrative purposes, the cushion is described herein as having an air bladder or bellows, and the actuator is described herein as a pump that introduces air into the bellows to inflate the cushion and increase its firmness, and releases air from the bellows to deflate the cushion and decrease its firmness. In another embodiment, the associated cushion can be adjusted by mechanically moving the cushion toward or away from the center of the seat. This adjustment can be made by adjusting the cushion angle. For such a cushion, the actuator may be a mechanical actuator, such as an electric motor. In other embodiments, other methods for changing the firmness and / or angle of the cushion may also be used.

[0042] Figure 3 A seat 102 with impression 302 is shown, indicating the distribution of the occupant's mass and weight on the seat during a right turn. Impression 302 shows areas of high weight distribution 304 and low weight distribution 306. Impression 302 shows that the high weight distribution 304 area is mainly located at the left seat cushion 210 and left lumbar support cushion 214 during a right turn.

[0043] Figure 4 An image 400 of road segment 402 in front of vehicle 100 is shown. Image 400 is obtained from an outward-facing digital camera (a component of vehicle sensor system 106) mounted on vehicle 100. Various radii of curvature 404, 406, 408 are shown superimposed on road segment 402. Alternatively or additionally, curvature can be determined from GPS sensors, map data, etc. Controller 112 performs analysis of image 400 to calculate the radius of curvature of road segment 402. The radius of curvature can be used to calculate centripetal acceleration on the vehicle and / or occupants.

[0044] Figure 5Figure 500 illustrates a method for calculating lateral or centripetal acceleration forces on an occupant. Lateral acceleration is a result of the vehicle's longitudinal velocity v as it passes through a road segment with a radius of curvature r. Lateral acceleration a can be calculated using known equations. c As shown in equation (1):

[0045]

[0046] The front-facing camera 502 and / or GPS sensor 504 can provide data to the turning radius calculator 506. The turning radius calculator 506 outputs the radius of curvature 508(r). The vehicle's radius of curvature 508(r) and longitudinal velocity 510(v) are provided to the acceleration calculator 512, which outputs the lateral acceleration 514(a). c ).

[0047] Figure 6 This is a flowchart 600 illustrating details of a method for force balancing at the seat cushion. The method begins at box 602. In box 604, any upcoming curvature of the road ahead of the vehicle is monitored. In box 606, the expected torque on the vehicle can be calculated based on lateral acceleration using the longitudinal velocity and the curvature of the upcoming road segment. The calculation in box 606 can be influenced by various parameters provided by the auxiliary sensor system 116 (e.g., tire pressure sensor, fuel level sensor, wiper sensor, thermometer, etc.). These parameters are provided to box 606 from box 608.

[0048] In box 610, the radius of curvature of the upcoming road segment is compared to a threshold radius. An example of a threshold radius is 950 meters. If the radius of curvature is greater than or equal to the threshold radius (i.e., a small turn), the method returns to box 604 for further monitoring of the road. If the radius of curvature is less than the threshold radius in box 610 (i.e., a sharp turn), the method proceeds to box 612.

[0049] In box 612, the steering wheel angle (SWA) is compared to a steering wheel angle threshold (SWA threshold). For illustrative purposes, the SWA threshold is 3 degrees. If the steering wheel angle is less than or equal to the SWA threshold (i.e., a minor change in steering wheel angle), the method proceeds to box 614. In box 614, the steering wheel angle is continuously monitored, looping back to box 612. If, in box 612, the steering wheel angle exceeds the SWA threshold (i.e., a significant turn into a corner), the method proceeds to box 616.

[0050] In box 616, a command is issued to increase the airbag pressure in the cushion towards the curved outer side of the occupied seat. This command can be based on occupant mass, which can be provided from box 618. The command can also be adjusted based on user preferences provided from box 620. From box 616, the method proceeds to box 622. Table 1 shows an illustrative table of airbag pressures for different acceleration ranges of the vehicle.

[0051] Table 1

[0052]

[0053] Boxes 622, 624, 626, and 628 execute an iterative procedure to perform pressure balancing at the seat. In box 622, the occupant's torque is calculated, and appropriate airbag pressure is applied at the airbag for the relevant cushion. This calculation uses the data from box 618 (occupant mass). In box 624, the upcoming road curvature, steering angle, and steering wheel rate are continuously monitored, and the lateral forces and occupant's torque are thus continuously updated. From box 624, the method proceeds to box 626. In box 626, the steering wheel is compared to a SWA threshold. If the steering wheel is greater than or equal to the SWA threshold, the method returns to box 622, where the airbag pressure is updated based on the calculation performed in box 624. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 628. In box 628, the radius of curvature is compared to a radius threshold. If the radius of curvature is less than or equal to the radius threshold, the method returns to box 622, where the airbag pressure is updated based on the calculation performed in box 624. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 630. In box 630, a command is issued to return the pressure at the airbag to the default or nominal pressure, thereby returning the cushion to its original state (i.e., the state of the vehicle moving in a straight line). The cushion thus returns to its original state based on at least one of the radius of curvature and the steering wheel angle. The method ends in box 630.

[0054] Various methods can be used to calculate lateral forces and moments on the occupant. In one embodiment, a human body model of the occupant can be created, and this model can be used to obtain an objective function that minimizes the parameters of the occupant. The human body model can be used to model the occupant offline, and simulations can be performed offline in advance. The results of the simulation can be stored in a lookup table. The controller 112 can use the lookup table to select appropriate cushion adjustments.

[0055] Figure 7 A front view 700 of the seat 102 in an illustrative embodiment is shown. Figure 8 The following is shown for illustrative purposes. Figure 7A view 800 of seat 102 includes a model 802 of the occupant in the seat. Model 802 can be used to calculate forces and moments on the occupant. The model can have various parameters, such as mass (and the mass of different body parts, including the mass of the head), the center of gravity of the body (body CG 804), the center of gravity of the head (head CG 806), and the moment arm 808 of the occupant's body (measured from body CG to head CG).

[0056] In one embodiment, model 802 can be used for calculations that minimize forces and moments on the occupant. In other embodiments, the model can be used for calculations that minimize occupant drift (i.e., the drift of the occupant within the seat, which is observed using an internal camera or calculated using physical equations), minimize muscle forces (which are simulated by a mannequin), minimize pressure points (which are simulated using pressure maps from a mannequin), or maximize the occupant's comfort score (which is determined experimentally).

[0057] The terms “a” and “an” do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather that at least one of the referenced items is present. The term “or” means “and / or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. A reference to “an aspect” throughout the specification means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in connection with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner across the aspects.

[0058] When an element, such as a layer, film, region, or substrate, is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intermediate elements present.

[0059] Unless otherwise stated herein, all test standards are the most recent valid standards up to the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0061] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can replace its elements without departing from its scope. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle seat, comprising: Determine the curvature of the road segment the vehicle is traversing; Determine the longitudinal speed of the vehicle on the road segment; Determine the mass of the vehicle's occupants, who are seated in the vehicle's seats; Calculate the forces on the occupants when the vehicle passes through the road segment, based on the road segment's curvature, the vehicle's longitudinal velocity, and the occupants' mass. as well as The firmness of the seat is controlled to balance the forces on the occupants when the vehicle passes through road sections.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating the moment on the occupant when the vehicle passes through the road segment based on the force and the moment arm of the occupant, and controlling the firmness of the seat to balance the moment on the occupant when the vehicle passes through the road segment.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising estimating a torque arm for the occupant from an image of the occupant, and calculating the torque using the torque arm.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modeling the occupant using a human body model of the occupant, and performing calculations on the human body model to perform at least one of the following: (i) minimizing occupant drift; (ii) minimizing occupant muscle force; (iii) minimizing pressure points on the occupant; and (iv) maximizing the occupant comfort score.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using data from at least one of the following to estimate the forces on the occupant: (i) a tire pressure sensor; (ii) a fuel level sensor; (iii) a wiper sensor; (iv) a thermometer; and (v) the radius of curvature of the road segment.

6. A system for controlling a vehicle seat, comprising: Actuator, which controls the firmness of the seat; and The processor, configured as follows: Determine the curvature of the road segment the vehicle is traversing; Determine the longitudinal speed of the vehicle on the road segment; Determine the mass of the vehicle's occupants, who are seated in the vehicle's seats; Calculate the forces on the occupants when the vehicle passes through the road segment, based on the road segment's curvature, the vehicle's longitudinal velocity, and the occupants' mass. as well as The actuator is activated to control the seat's firmness in order to balance the forces on the occupants as the vehicle traverses road sections.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, The processor is also configured to calculate the torque on the occupant when the vehicle passes through the road segment based on the force and the occupant's torque arm, and to control the firmness of the seat to balance the torque on the occupant when the vehicle passes through the road segment.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein, The processor is also configured to estimate a torque arm for the occupant from an image of the occupant and to calculate the torque using the torque arm.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein, The processor is also configured to use a lookup table to control the firmness of the seat, the lookup table including the results of simulating the occupant using a human body model of the occupant, wherein the lookup table includes data for at least one of: (i) minimizing occupant drift; (ii) minimizing occupant muscle force; (iii) Minimize the stress points on the occupants; and (iv) maximize the occupants' comfort score.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein, The processor is also configured to estimate the forces on the occupant using data from at least one of the following: (i) a tire pressure sensor; (ii) a fuel level sensor; (iii) a wiper sensor; and (iv) a thermometer.

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