System and method for controlling the movement of a seat of a vehicle using magnetic sensing

Abstract

Method for controlling the movement of a seat (130) in a vehicle (50), wherein the seat (130) is coupled to several mechanisms (150) which are each configured to effect a different type of movement of the seat (130), the method comprising: Generating a protected volume (106) of a magnetic flux by means of a magnetic sensor module (122) inside the vehicle (50), wherein the protected volume (106) extends from a reference wall in the vehicle (50) with a predetermined depth towards the seat (130); Detecting an infringement of the protected volume (106) by the seat (130) using the magnetic sensor module (122), for which a baseline of movement is determined below which the seat (130) may move, wherein an infringement of the protected volume (106) by the seat (130) is detected when the seat (130) moves beyond the baseline of movement; and Controlling the movement of the seat (130) by means of the magnetic sensor module (122) in response to a detected impairment; characterized in that the magnetic sensor module (122) is further configured to determine the type of movement of the seat (130) that triggered the detected impairment and to control the specific mechanism (150) that caused the specific type of movement of the seat (130), where the movement of the seat (130) is slowed down by means of the specific mechanism (150) or the seat (130) is moved gradually and slowly.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to mobile platform management systems and in particular to a method for controlling the movement of a seat in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, as is known essentially from DE 39 10 778 A1.

[0002] Furthermore, it is known from US 2011 / 0 254 539 A1, for example, to monitor the change in a magnetic field by means of a magnetic sensor, which is due to a seat being moved into the magnetic field, so that the seat movement can then be controlled.

[0003] Further details of the state of the art can be found in documents DE 10 2007 028 850 A1 and DE 10 2004 037 914 A1. BACKGROUND

[0004] Many mobile platform designs incorporate one or more moving objects (for example, a steering wheel and a seat). The moving object may be articulated, comprising multiple components, each capable of moving along different planes or coordinates. When configuring the moving object, each component is generally moved either independently or collectively. While the movement of each individual component may be limited to a finite travel distance, in various configurations of the moving object, simultaneous movement along multiple axes can lead to undesirable contact between the moving object and the mobile platform's functionalities.

[0005] In the example of a vehicle seat, a user might configure the seat to maximize comfort and surface area by using mechanisms (such as electric seat controls or levers) to move or shift the seat. This process can cause the seat to contact a protected feature or area within the mobile platform. The protected feature or area might be the bulkhead or paneling behind the seat, and over time, repeated contact can compromise or damage the bulkhead. To minimize this contact, many mobile platform designs employ pressure sensors. However, pressure sensor designs tend to provide reactive (i.e., after contact has occurred) alerts or alerts indicating that the contact occurred too late to control the movement that caused the contact.

[0006] Accordingly, improved systems and methods for controlling a moving object in connection with a mobile platform are desirable. Other desirable functions and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the attached claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the preceding technical field and background. SUMMARY

[0007] According to the invention, a method for controlling the movement of a seat in a vehicle with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

[0008] Furthermore, a system for controlling a moving object in a mobile platform is provided, wherein the system comprises a magnetic sensor arrangement configured to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0009] Another method for controlling a moving object is provided, wherein the moving object is associated with a mobile platform, the method comprising: generating a protected volume of magnetic flux within the mobile platform by means of a magnetic sensor arrangement, wherein (i) the dimensions and (ii) position of the protected volume are based on a predicted movement of the moving object; detecting by the magnetic sensor arrangement a violation on the protected volume by a ferromagnetic target; and controlling a mechanism configured to cause the movement of the moving object responding to the detected violation by means of a control module coupled to the magnetic sensor arrangement.

[0010] Further desirable functions will become apparent from the following detailed description and the attached claims in conjunction with the attached drawings and the technical context. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A more complete understanding of the subject can be derived from the following detailed description, which is made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where identical reference numerals denote identical elements, and the following applies: Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for controlling the movement of a moving object; Fig. 2 is a perspective side view of a movable object and a system for controlling the movement of the movable object, wherein the view represents the movable object, which does not infringe upon a protected volume, according to various exemplary embodiments; Fig. 3 is a perspective side view of the moving object and a system for controlling the movement of the moving object, wherein the view represents the moving object which infringes the protected volume according to various exemplary embodiments; Fig. Figure 4 is a representation of an exemplary movable object, such as a seat, which has an identified target area and multiple ferromagnetic targets, according to various exemplary embodiments; and Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart that describes a method for controlling the movement of the moving object according to various exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The techniques and technologies described herein can refer to functional and / or logical block components and to symbolic representations of operations, program processing, and functions that can be performed by various computer components or devices. These operations, programs, and functions are sometimes referred to as computer-executed, computerized, software-implemented, or computer-implemented.

[0013] In practice, one or more processor units can perform the described operations, programs, and functions by manipulating electrical signals representing data bits at memory locations in system memory, as well as by other signal processing. The memory locations where data bits are held are physical locations that possess specific electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties corresponding to the data bits. It should be noted that such block components can be constructed from any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specific functions. For example, an embodiment of a system or component might include various integrated circuit components, such as...employ storage devices, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables or the like, which can perform a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.

[0014] As used herein, the “storage device” includes any combination of processor- or computer-readable storage media that can be implemented in a non-volatile and tangible form. The “processor-readable medium” or “machine-readable medium” may include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of processor-readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor storage device, RAM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), a floppy disk, a removable storage medium, a CD-ROM, an optical drive, and a hard disk, the storage medium being, in various embodiments, integrated into the respective processor. Storage devices may store non-volatile, computer-readable instructions and program code for operating the system and its functional or logical modules / components described below.Furthermore, the term "module" as used herein refers to all hardware, software, firmware products, electronic control components, processing logic and / or processor devices, individually or in any combination, including, but not limited to, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group processor) and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit and / or other suitable components providing the described functionality.

[0015] The following description may refer to elements or nodes and features that are "coupled" to one another. As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, "coupled" means that an element / node / function is directly or indirectly connected to (or communicates with) another element / node / function, and not necessarily mechanically. Thus, although the drawings may represent an exemplary arrangement of elements, additional intermediate elements, devices, functions, or components may be present in an embodiment of the depicted item.

[0016] In simplified terms, the provided system and method control the movement of a moving object in response to a magnetically detected disturbance of a protected volume by the moving object. The protected volume contains a magnetic flux, and the moving object has an associated ferrous target that, upon disturbance, disrupts or modifies the magnetic flux. In response to the detected disturbance, the provided system and method control a mechanism that causes the movement of the moving object. For illustrative purposes, the following examples represent a mobile platform, such as a vehicle; however, the concepts presented herein can be applied to other mobile platforms, such as aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, motorcycles, scooters, robots, robotic devices, and the like.Similarly, the movable object can take on forms other than a seat. Furthermore, the concepts presented here can also be used in non-mobile platform applications, if desired. The magnetic flux loop is rotated three-dimensionally, at least to a portion of the defined three-dimensional space. Accordingly, the magnet's properties are selected to create a three-dimensional space with the characteristics required for a specific application, such as dimensions and magnetic flux density. Additionally, the specific application may require any number of magnets; the number and arrangement of the magnets used are determined based on the desired dimensions and magnetic flux density of the desired three-dimensional space.

[0017] Turning now to the exemplary embodiments, we find that in Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 10 for controlling the motion of a moving object 12 (hereinafter referred to as "system 10"). The system 10 includes at least one target 14, a magnetic flux generation device 16, a disturbance sensor device 18, and a control module 20. The magnetic flux generation device 16 is configured to produce a magnetic flux that fills a defined three-dimensional space. For example, the magnetic flux generation device 16 may contain or penetrate matter. Additionally, certain terminology in the following description may be used for reference only and is therefore not intended to be restrictive.

[0018] Target 14 is configured to cause disturbances in the magnetic flux. For example, target 14 may comprise an iron-containing material or another material that causes a perceptible disturbance or change in the magnetic flux when located near or within the magnetic flux. The size, shape, and location of target 14 may be application-specific and based on the dimensions and density of the magnetic flux within the protected volume 106.

[0019] The interference sensor device 18 is configured to observe or detect the magnetic flux generated by the flux generation device 116 and to convert detected magnetic flux disturbances into generated sensor signals for use with the control module 20. For example, the interference sensor device 18 can include a Hall effect sensor, AMR (anisotropic magnetoresistive) whetstone bridge sensors, or other magnetically sensitive devices, including GMR (giant magnetoresistive) sensors, TMR (tunnel magnetoresistive) sensors, and EMR (extraordinary magnetoresistive) sensors.

[0020] In various embodiments, the disturbance sensor device 18 generates a sensor signal with a first value that responds to the sampling of the observed magnetic flux without disturbance, and generates a sensor signal with a second value (or different values) that responds to the detection of one or more disturbances in the magnetic flux. In various embodiments, the disturbance sensor device 18 is configured to have a sensitivity (of detection and transformation) that is application-specific and based on the number, location, and dimensions of the one or more targets 14. The sensitivity of the disturbance sensor device 18 can further be based on the predicted velocity of the moving object during normal operation.As can be seen, the sensor signals of the interference sensor device 18 are based on the detected impairment and can be precisely decoded even in the case of common-mode interference or amplitude changes caused by magnetic field losses due to temperature fluctuations, deterioration of a magnet, etc.

[0021] The control module 20 is configured to receive the sensor signals and control the movement of the moving object 12 based on them. For example, the control module 20 is configured to generate control signals to the moving object 12 that are sufficient to stop or slow down the movement of the moving object 12 when the sensor signals are within a predefined value or range of values.

[0022] In various embodiments, the magnetic flux generation device 16 and the interference sensor device 18 can be designed as separate elements or as an arrangement of the elements (hereinafter: magnetic sensor arrangement 104), and the magnetic sensor arrangement 104 can be further integrated with the control module 20 (hereinafter: magnetic sensor arrangement 122).

[0023] Referring now to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the system 10, which is assigned to a seat 130 of a vehicle 50. As shown, the magnetic sensor arrangement 104 can be arranged on a reference feature of the vehicle 50, which must be protected against contact by the seat 130. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 is an exemplary reference feature to be protected, a part of the stationary cladding, such as a bulkhead, characterized by the reference wall 102. The reference wall 102 is shown with one or more materials in respective thicknesses 212, each specific to the application. In various embodiments, the magnetic sensor 104 can be mounted on a first side 208 of the reference wall 102 and, through the material and thickness 212 of the reference wall 102, create a protected volume 106 of magnetic flux extending forward or outward from a second side 210 of the reference wall 102. The protected volume 106 can also be described as extending from the second side 210 of the reference wall 102 to the seat 130.In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic sensor assembly 104 can be mounted on the seat 130 and generate the protected volume 106 of magnetic flux directed backward toward the reference wall 102, where one or more targets can be mounted. Regardless of where the magnetic sensor assembly 104 is located and / or mounted in the vehicle 50, the system 10 is configured to meet the operational requirements described herein.

[0024] While the protected volume 106 is represented two-dimensionally with edges of discrete lines, in practice it is understood that the protected volume 106 is a three-dimensional volume with edges that fade rather than end discretely. The protected volume 106 is designed to extend forward from the second side of the reference wall 102 by a predetermined depth 107 and can be defined by a surface 111 and / or a sweet spot. The sweet spot can be a planar surface that is essentially parallel to the reference wall 102 and is defined by its dimensions at the predetermined depth 107 (for example, a perimeter surface or a height 109 and a width).The protected volume 106 comprises application-specific properties, such as the magnetic flux density and dimensions, based on one or more application-specific properties, including (i) the predicted movement of the seat during its normal operation, (ii) the size, shape, and location of a feature to be protected, and (iii) the material and thickness comprising the reference wall 102. In various embodiments, the properties of the protected volume 106 are further based on the properties of one or more targets 14. In one embodiment, the predetermined depth is essentially 27 millimeters.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the ferrous targets 304, 306, and 308 are strategically placed within the seat 130 to generate the perceptible disturbance when the seat 130 is moved. The seat 130 includes, for example, a headrest 110, a backrest 108, and a seat surface 112. Each component of the seat 130 can be configured for a predictable amount of normal operating motion, where normal operating motion includes independent movement by a component of the seat 130 or joint movement by more than one component of the seat 130. For example, the normal operating motion when adjusting a seat 130 generally causes the backrest 108 and the headrest 110 to move together. Herein, motion is further defined as consisting of one or more “types of motion,” where a “type of motion” includes movement along a general coordinate.For example, the normal operating movement when moving a seat 130 forwards and backwards is a movement of all components of the seat 130 together along a general coordinate, and thus one type of movement of the seat 130; the normal operating movement of the seat surface 112 up and down is the movement of a single seat component along another general coordinate, and thus another type of movement of the seat 130. In . Fig. Arrow 105 illustrates the type of movement commonly referred to as prone, and arrow 103 illustrates the type of movement commonly referred to as backward sitting; a variety of movement types are supported. As mentioned above, the detection of sitting movement is based on the detection of an iron-containing target 14 associated with the seat 130.

[0026] The kinematics of the normal operating movement of the components of the seat 130 can be mapped to identify a target area 310. The target area 310 is the part of the seat 130 that is predicted to make contact with the protected feature during normal operating movement of the seat 130 when the system 10 is not installed; accordingly, the target area 310 is predicted to infringe the protected volume 106 during normal operating movement of the seat 130 when the system 10 is installed. The target area 310 can include sections of more than one component of the seat 130. Fig. Figure 3 shows the target area 310 with a hatched fill and comprises part of the headrest 110 and part of the backrest 108. The target area 310 can be described by dimensions such as a height 202 and a width 302. In one embodiment, a design clearance can be added when depicting the seat kinematics, so that the target area 310 also has a depth (not shown). One or more ferrous targets 14 can be mounted within the target area 310. Fig. Figure 3 shows the ferrous targets 304, 306, and 308 in a straight line within the target area 310. The dimensions of the ferrous target(s) 14, the number of ferrous targets 14, and the arrangement of the one or more ferrous targets 14 within the target area 310 are application-specific design decisions that are based, at least in part, on the dimensions of the target area 310 and the properties of the protected volume 106.

[0027] In various embodiments, the movement of the seat 130 is effected by a mechanism 150. The mechanism 150 can comprise any combination of a lever, a motor, or a similar device configured to effect a type of movement for a part of the seat 130. The mechanism 150 can be controlled by the control module 20 to control the movement of the seat.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 5 and with further reference to the Fig. Figure 1-4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling a moving object 12 in conjunction with a mobile platform, which can be carried out by the system 10 according to various exemplary embodiments. As can be seen from the disclosure, the sequence of operations within the methods is not as shown in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates that the process is not limited to sequential execution, but can, where applicable, be carried out in one or more different sequences according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be evident that one or more steps of the process can be added or removed without altering the spirit of the process.

[0029] The procedure begins at 501. At 502, the protected volume 106 of the magnetic flux is generated by the magnetic flux generation device 16. The at least one ferrous target 14 is located on the movable object 12 at 504. At 506, the disturbance sensor device 18 detects disturbances of the magnetic flux encompassing the protected volume 106. The detection of disturbances can include, firstly, determining a baseline of motion below which the movement of the object 12 is permitted, and secondly, determining whether the detected disturbances indicate that the movement extends beyond the baseline of motion. In response to the detected disturbances at 506, the magnetic sensor module 122 determines that the movable object 12 (seat 130) has interfered with the protected volume 106.Alternatively, the detection of disturbances at 506 can also include first determining a direction of movement and then determining whether the extent of the movement in the detected direction of movement is above a threshold value.

[0030] At 508, the magnetic sensor module 122 determines a type of movement of the moving object 12 in conjunction with the detected interference from the ferrous target 14. At 510, the magnetic sensor module 122 controls a mechanism 150 configured to effect the specified type of movement of the moving object 12. As mentioned above, when the moving object 12 is the seat 130, the magnetic sensor module 122 is configured to control the movement of the seat 130 via the mechanism 150 to minimize further interference from the ferrous target 14 on the protected volume 106. Minimizing further interference from the ferrous target 14 on the protected volume 106 can include any combination of the following: a complete cessation of movement, a slowing of movement, and / or an incremental inch-along movement.Minimizing further impairments is achieved by the protective feature against contact by the seat 130. Since, according to the invention, a plurality of mechanisms 150 are coupled to the seat 130, each mechanism 150 being configured to effect a different type of movement of the seat 130, the magnetic sensor module 122 is further configured to determine a type of movement that triggered the detected impairment and controls a specific mechanism 150 that is configured to effect the specific type of movement.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling the movement of a seat (130) in a vehicle (50), wherein the seat (130) is coupled to several mechanisms (150) which are each configured to effect a different type of movement of the seat (130), the method comprising: Generating a protected volume (106) of a magnetic flux by means of a magnetic sensor module (122) inside the vehicle (50), wherein the protected volume (106) extends from a reference wall in the vehicle (50) with a predetermined depth towards the seat (130); Detecting an infringement of the protected volume (106) by the seat (130) using the magnetic sensor module (122), for which a baseline of movement is determined below which the seat (130) may move, wherein an infringement of the protected volume (106) by the seat (130) is detected when the seat (130) moves beyond the baseline of movement; and Controlling the movement of the seat (130) by means of the magnetic sensor module (122) in response to a detected impairment; characterized by , that the magnetic sensor module (122) is further configured to determine the type of movement of the seat (130) that triggered the detected impairment and to control the specific mechanism (150) that caused the specific type of movement of the seat (130), where the movement of the seat (130) is slowed down by means of the specific mechanism (150) or the seat (130) is moved gradually and slowly. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a target area (310) as part of the seat (130) that is predicted to affect the protected volume (106) during the normal operation of the seat (130); and the mounting of an iron-containing target (14) within the target area (310). [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein identifying a target area (310) comprises mapping the kinetics of the seat (130). [4] Method according to claim 2, wherein the iron-containing target (14) is one of several iron-containing targets (304, 306, 308), and further comprising mounting each iron-containing target (304, 306, 308) of the several iron-containing targets (304, 306, 308) within the target area (310). [5] Method according to claim 2, wherein controlling the movement of the seat (130) responding to a detected impairment is based on minimizing the impairment by the iron-containing target (14) on the protected volume (106). [6] System for controlling a moving object (12) in a mobile platform, the system comprising: a magnetic sensor arrangement attached to a reference wall of the mobile platform, wherein the magnetic sensor arrangement is configured to perform the method according to claim 1. [7] System according to claim 6, wherein the ferrous target (14) is mounted within a target area (310), the target area (310) defining a part of the movable object (12) that is predicted to affect the protected volume (106) during the normal operation of the movable object (12). [8] System according to claim 7, wherein the iron-containing target (14) is one of several iron-containing targets (304, 306, 308), each of which is mounted within the target area (310). [9] System according to claim 7, wherein the movable object (12) is a seat (130) and wherein the control module is further configured to respond to a detected impairment on the protected volume (106) by the iron-containing target (14) to control the movement of the seat (130) in order to minimize the impairment of the iron-containing target (14) on the protected volume (106).

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