System for adjusting position of seat of vehicle

Abstract

To provide an active automatic seat positioning adjustment system that provides maximum ease and comfort to an operator.SOLUTION: A system for controlling the position of a vehicle seat includes a component position detection device, a seat and component adjustment controller, and at least one controllable actuator in network communication. The measured value of the absence of a seat driver is communicated to the seat and component adjustment controller as is the current value of at least one of the fore-aft position or height position of the seat. The seat and component adjustment controller compares the measured value of the absence of a seat driver to a set value to determine if a driver is present. If a driver is not present, the seat and position controller calculates a movement factor value, wherein the communication between the seat and component adjustment controller and the at least one controllable actuator is determined. If the movement factor value is different than the desired value, the seat and component adjustment controller signals the at least one controllable actuator to adjust the fore-aft position or the height position of the seat to the desired value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 076,029, filed on September 9, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly, to an improvement in the adjustment of a vehicle seat for improving the driver's physical sensation during getting in and out of a work vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seat adjustment system, and more particularly, to a system and method for automatically adjusting the position of a vehicle seat in the absence of a driver.

[0004] Many large vehicles, such as commercial semi - vehicles, construction and agricultural work vehicles, due to their size and shape, have the driver's seat installed in a way that the seat is not very ergonomic and not convenient for getting in and out of the seat and the vehicle without difficulty. Generally, the seat is adjustable, but many drivers do not take the time to adjust the seat to facilitate getting in and out of the vehicle, especially when the driver gets in and out in a short time.

[0005] Unlike passenger vehicles, in work vehicles, it is common for the driver to get in and out of the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation. One reason for this is to check or adjust the functions of the vehicle. Unfortunately, getting in and out of these vehicles is imaginably ergonomically difficult considering the size of the vehicle, the position of the vehicle seat, and other components such as the vehicle console. The lack of convenience and ergonomics that the driver feels during getting in and out can cause driver fatigue and general dissatisfaction.

[0006] Regarding the experience of getting in and out of the vehicle by the driver depending on the seat position, it has not been sufficiently addressed in work vehicles. There is a need for an active automatic seat position adjustment system that provides the driver with maximum peace of mind and comfort when the driver enters and exits the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure aims at a seat adjustment system for a vehicle that adjusts the seat position in comparison with a desired seat position in response to a signal regarding whether the driver is present in the seat or not. This seat position adjustment system for a vehicle includes a seat of the vehicle, a driver presence detection device, a seat and component adjustment controller, and a controllable actuator that all operate to communicate.

[0008] A method of operating this system is also contemplated.

[0009] Other aspects will become apparent by considering the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments described in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings. It will thus be understood that no limitation to the scope of the present disclosure is intended. Further, the present disclosure includes changes and modifications to the illustrated embodiments, as well as further applications of the principles of the present disclosure which would occur to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0012] The vehicle seat and component position adjustment system of the present disclosure provides an automatic and bi-directional system that adjusts the positions of the seat and console to maximize the comfort of the driver when entering and exiting the vehicle. A vehicle seat and component position adjustment system based on the presence of the driver is disclosed. This system can be applied to a number of different types of motorized seats. In one embodiment, the vehicle seat and component position adjustment system for use in a vehicle includes, within a mutual communication range, a vehicle seat, a seat and component position controller, a controllable actuator, and a driver presence detection device. The driver presence detection device is operable to transmit a signal to the controller, and the controller is operable to give an instruction to the controllable actuator to adjust the position of an internal vehicle component such as the seat or console. This adjustment is based on the presence of the driver or according to a pre-programmed value. Adjustable vehicle components in this system include, but are not limited to, the front-back position of the seat, the height of the seat, and the position of the console.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, in one aspect of the vehicle seat and component position adjustment system, one or more driver presence detection devices provide information regarding the presence of a driver in the seat. The driver presence detection device 10 can be integrated into the seat or the suspension. The detection device can be a switch or a sensor. In one embodiment, when the driver presence detection device 10 is a switch, the switch detects the weight of the seat, which clearly indicates the presence or absence of the driver. The driver presence detection device 10 can take various forms that enable the generation of a signal used by the seat and component position controller 12, and the signal indicates the presence of a driver in the seat.

[0014] In certain embodiments, one or more seat and component position detection devices 14, 16, 18, 20 provide information regarding the position of vehicle components such as vehicle seats or consoles. In one embodiment, the seat and component position detection device is a front-to-rear position detection device 14 that can determine and communicate the front-to-rear position of the seat. In this or additional embodiments, the seat or component position detection device is a seat height position detection device 16 that can determine the seat height position of the seat. In yet another embodiment, the console position detection device 18 is a seat and component detection device. In yet another embodiment, a seat swivel position detection device 20 is contemplated.

[0015] The detected values of the seat position detection device can be measured by changes in resistance values, changes in magnetic fields, digital pulses, sonar, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the measurement method or the form of the measured values is not limited as long as information related to the actual position of the seat or component is obtained by measurement. For example, in one of the above embodiments, a sensor-based potentiometer measures the height position of the seat. The sensor outputs a rheometric voltage based on the supply voltage and the sensor position. However, other applicable sensor outputs such as current or digital outputs, such as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), Controller Area Network (CAN), and Local Interconnect Network (LIN), are also conceivable. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the seat and component position detection devices 14, 16, 18, 20 can be various types of detectors and can be integrated in various ways known in the art. The only limiting factor is that the seat position and component detectors can sense the position of the seat by the front-back position, height position, swivel position, or one or more of these positions, or can sense the position of vehicle components such as the console. In one embodiment, a single detector measures the front-back position and height position of the seat. In another embodiment, one detector measures the front-back position of the seat and another detector measures the height of the seat. The number or type of detectors is not limited. A single potentiometer detector may be advantageous in that accurate feedback can be obtained immediately. In another embodiment, an accelerometer sensor can be used. However, in embodiments using an accelerometer, since the accelerometer data needs to be further converted into accurate position data, the data using the accelerometer may deviate from real-time data. In yet another embodiment, several sensors can be used. Using multiple sensors may be important when dealing with safety-critical components or when the possibility of sensor failure is unacceptable. Examples include steer-by-wire systems and fly-by-wire systems.

[0016] The front-rear position of the seat can be measured by the longitudinal position from the front end of the seat base to a reference point on the vehicle floor facing forward (front) of the vehicle. However, any other reference point including any component in a movable relationship matching the vehicle seat can be combined with any component attached to a fixed component of the vehicle and used for measuring the front-rear position of the vehicle seat.

[0017] Software or firmware in a processor such as a processor in the vehicle seat and the position adjustment controller 12 receives either a current signal or a voltage signal from the detectors 14, 16, 18, 20, determines from the signal that the driver is present in the seat and the position of the seat or vehicle component, or at least measures a value indicating that the driver is present in the seat and / or the position of the seat and / or vehicle component. Then, the controller 12 calculates this raw signal and converts it into engineering values. This raw signal for determining the position of the seat can be a voltage corresponding to a distance such as millimeters or a percentage of movement.

[0018] In many embodiments, the controller has a timer 21. The timer can take into account the situation where the driver has gotten out of the seat but remains in the general operation area of the seat. It is also useful when the driver presence detection device 10 is activated by a large shake due to the driver temporarily leaving the seat. The timer value can be determined in advance, adjustable by the user, or both in certain embodiments. In embodiments with a timer, the timer value needs to expire before the controller 12 instructs to move to a position that assists entry or exit to the actuator. Examples of timer values include 0, 0.1, 0.25, 1, and 10 seconds, but it is not intended to be limited to these values. Any value within this span is also conceivable. Larger values, such as those particularly advantageous for drivers with disabilities, are also possible. When the timer value expires and is reset, the next timer value does not have to be the same value. This also applies when the timer is reset without the timer value expiring. For example, the first timer value can be 10 seconds, but the second timer value can be only 5 seconds.

[0019] The controller 12 can communicate directly or indirectly with various components of the system. For direct communication, components such as detectors 10, 14, 16, 18, etc. can be directly connected to the controller 12 by appropriate wiring. The communication with the controller 12 can be based on analog or digital signals and can follow various communication protocols such as LIN, CAN, UART, SPI, etc. Alternatively, the communication between the controller 12 and a specific component can be made wireless using various known wireless communication protocols.

[0020] As shown here, a single controller 12 is disclosed. However, there is no limit to the number of controllers within the system. For example, there may be two controllers, such as a parent / child relationship. In this case, the controller collects data, waits for instructions from the master controller, and then issues an operation command to the actuator. In yet another embodiment, one controller can collect position information, while another controller is responsible for issuing operation commands to the actuator. In yet another embodiment, when there are multiple seats in a vehicle, there may be one parent controller and multiple child controllers.

[0021] The vehicle seat position adjustment system according to the present disclosure is implemented by one or more controllable actuators 22, 24, 26, 28. In response to receiving at least a signal from a driver presence detector, the controller 12 sends a signal to the actuator to move the vehicle seat or vehicle component relative to the vehicle floor. When the driver is not detected, the controller 12 instructs the actuator to move the vehicle seat to a set position relative to the vehicle floor. This position corresponds to a position that maximally utilizes the driver's experience for entering and exiting the seat. This position can be a front-rear position, a height position, a swivel position, or a combination of multiple such positions. Generally, any actuator, such as an electric motor, that automatically adjusts the position of the seat or component upon receiving a signal from the controller 12 is considered here. In one embodiment, the controllable actuator includes a power system, such as a motor connected to the seat to move the seat base. In other embodiments, the controllable actuator includes a power system associated with a power system that can raise and lower the height of the seat.

[0022] In one embodiment, depending on the vehicle type, when the driver presence detector 10 determines that the driver is not present, this information is transmitted to the controller 12, and the controller 12 sends a signal to the actuator 20 / 22 to lower the seat and position the seat at the most rearward position, i.e., a position away from the front of the vehicle. In another embodiment, only the height of the seat is changed. For example, to make it more convenient to get on and off the seat, the controllable slide actuator 22 can move the seat as far rearward as possible when the driver presence detection device transmits to the controller that the driver is no longer present in the seat. In many work vehicles, moving the seat fully rearward makes it more convenient for the driver to re-enter the vehicle if the driver has left the still-running vehicle. In a particular embodiment, the seat maintains power for a set period regardless of the power state of the vehicle. However, it should be understood that it is not always necessary to move the seat completely to the rearward position when the driver is not sitting on the seat. Any position for moving the seat back and forth can be selected. The height of the seat and the swivel of the seat can also be continuously adjusted.

[0023] Independently or adjustable by the front and rear seat actuator 22, another actuator includes the seat height actuator 24. The seat height actuator is well known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail here. However, it should be understood that the seat height actuator can include one or more components used for seat height adjustment, such as a solenoid, a compressor, etc. One skilled in the art understands that any seat height actuator capable of adjusting the height of the vehicle seat in response to a signal from the controller can be used.

[0024] The signals of the controller 12 are sent to the actuators 22, 24, 26, 28 based on whether the driver is present in the seat. In one embodiment, the controller signals are sent regardless of the driving state of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the controller signals can be manually sent by the driver via an input device such as a knob or a touch screen. An example of the knob is shown in FIG. 2. An example of the touch screen is shown in FIG. 3. When the system has a touch screen, the driver can set, via a human-machine interface (HMI), the desired seat position when the seat is in use and the desired position when the seat is vacant, and the signal of the setting result is sent to the controller, which commands the seat position or component position actuators 22, 24, 26, 28 to adjust the seat to the desired position. In such a case, the driver can change the position of the seat while sitting on the vehicle seat and invalidate the pre-programmed values based on the occupancy of the seat. Further, in any of the embodiments, the position of the seat can be pre-set based on the driver's preference and stored in the controller 12 so that it is not necessary to adjust the seat position every time the driver occupies the vehicle seat. These pre-set values can be input using an input device as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0025] When the driver sets the seat position preferences in the system, those preferences are stored in the memory, compared based on the occupancy state of the seat, and it is determined whether the desired position of the seat deviates from the current position of the seat. If the desired positions are different, the controller 12 sends a signal to the actuators 22, 24, 26, 28 to move vehicle components such as the seat or the console to the desired position. Various settings can be saved in the controller 12 and operated by the driver as needed. By saving various settings in the controller, multiple drivers of the vehicle can save their respective desired seat settings.

[0026] When the seat position is changed based on the driver being away from the seat, and the driver re - occupies the seat and the driver's presence is confirmed again, the controller compares the desired position of the seat with the current position. If there is a difference between the current position and the desired position, the controller sends a signal to the controllable actuator to move the seat to the desired position.

[0027] In one embodiment, the controller 12 commands steps according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, in the first step, the controller 12 determines whether the vehicle seat and component position adjustment system is functioning (step 1). If the system is functioning, the controller 12 receives or collects the value or signal generated by the driver presence detector 10 (step 2). If the driver is absent, the timer 21 starts (step 3). When the timer 21 expires while the driver is not in the seat (step 4), the controller 12 commands the controllable actuators 22, 24, 26, 28 to move the seat to another position that is set to be optimal for entry and exit or preset by the driver (step 5). If the driver is in or occupies the seat before the timer value of the timer 21 expires, the controller 12 resets the timer 21 in a feedback loop and the seat remains at the set position when the driver is present (step 5).

[0029] In one example, the driver presence detector 10 sends a value indicating the presence of the vehicle driver in the seat to the controller 12, rather than a light object on the seat such as a cat or luggage. In this case, the controller 12 can convert the signal from the driver presence detector 10 into a value that can be compared with a threshold indicating that it is the driver. This threshold can be stored in the memory within the controller 12.

[0030] When the controller 12 determines that there is no driver present, there is no need to change the seat height. If there is no driver present, the seat height is not adjusted and the actuators 22, 24, 26, 28 are stopped (step 6).

[0031] In one embodiment, when the vehicle is on, the controller 12 is configured to continuously execute the steps shown by the flowchart loop of FIG. 4. In certain scenarios, the driver can turn on the system's power just by turning the key. In other examples, the vehicle powers the system with no driver present, such as through the use of remote start. In some cases, pre-adjustment may be required before the driver reaches the seat.

[0032] It should be understood that the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be considered limiting. Only specific embodiments are presented, and it is desired that all changes, modifications, and further applications falling within the spirit of the present disclosure be protected.

Claims

1. A mechanism for dynamically adjusting the position of an operating vehicle seat, a seat and component adjuster, a driver presence detection device configured to detect whether a driver is present or absent in the operating vehicle seat, a seat and component position detection device configured to determine the current seat and component positions, a controllable actuator configured to adjust the seat and component positions so that the seat and component positions become the adjusted seat and component positions when it is detected that the driver is absent from the operating vehicle seat and that a timer has expired, a mechanism comprising.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the adjusted seat and component positions include at least the front-rear position or the height position of the operating vehicle seat.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing the desired seat and component positions in the seat and component adjuster.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the absence of the driver from the operating vehicle seat is determined after the timer value set in the timer has expired.

5. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the adjusted seat and component positions include pre-programmed seat and component positions.

6. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the current seat and component positions and the adjusted seat and component positions include at least the current console position and the adjusted console position.

7. A mechanism for adjusting the position of a vehicle seat, a driver presence detection device configured to detect the presence or absence of a driver sitting in the position of the vehicle seat, a vehicle seat position detection device configured to detect the position of the vehicle seat, a seat adjustment controller operably connected to the driver presence detection device and the vehicle seat position detection device, the seat adjustment controller comprising: comparing the detected absence of the driver with a threshold value, calculating a desired seat position based on the detected absence of the driver, comparing the current position of the seat with the desired seat position, a seat adjustment controller that, when there is a difference between the current position and the desired seat position, instructs a controllable actuator to adjust the position of the vehicle seat to match the desired seat position, a mechanism characterized by comprising.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the controllable actuator moves the seat completely to the rear position when the driver is absent.

9. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a timer configured to operate the controllable actuator with a delay after a predetermined time has elapsed after the absence of the driver is detected.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the timer is configured to be reset when the driver presence detection device detects the presence of the driver before the expiration of the predetermined time thereafter.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the seat adjustment controller is configured to store at least one desired seat position in a memory module.

12. A mechanism for controlling the position of a work vehicle seat, a seat and component adjustment controller, a driver presence detection device configured to detect whether a driver is present in the work vehicle seat, a seat and component position detection device configured to determine at least one of the current front-rear position or height position of the work vehicle seat, a controllable actuator operably connected to the seat and component adjustment controller, wherein the seat and component adjustment controller, compares the current front-rear position or height position of the work vehicle seat with a stored desired seat position, and is configured to initiate automatic movement of the work vehicle seat when the driver presence detection device detects the absence of the driver and a difference between the current seat position and the desired seat position, a controllable actuator. A mechanism comprising.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the stored desired seat position is programmed in the seat and component adjustment controller.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the seat and component adjustment controller includes a disabling function that enables manual movement of the seat.

15. The mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising a console actuator as one of the controllable actuators, the console actuator being configured to initiate movement of the console when the driver presence detection device detects a difference between the absence of the driver and the current console position and the desired console position.

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