Active Vehicle Seat Actuator for Tactile Operator Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active movement systems in agricultural and industrial vehicles, while improving comfort by isolating vibrations, can lead to incorrect assessment of critical driving conditions due to reduced tactile feedback, and existing solutions like haptic warning devices are unsuitable for commercial vehicles with high chassis masses.
Innovation Solution
An active movement system with an actuator that moves the secondary side relative to the primary side in a controlled manner, simulating vibrations or movements to alert the operator of non-optimal or unsafe operating states, using sensors to detect vehicle state variables and control the actuator to provide defined movements or signals, such as oscillating or pulse-shaped, to avoid natural frequencies and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an active movement system is used to isolate vibrations and improve comfort, then operator comfort is improved, but tactile feedback between the vehicle and operator is weakened, leading to incorrect assessment of critical driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by using the actuator to generate specific vibration patterns in the secondary side (vehicle seat or operator platform) that correspond to critical driving conditions. When sensors detect unsafe states, the actuator creates tactile vibrations that alert the operator through their sense of touch, thereby restoring the tactile feedback that was lost due to the vibration isolation provided by the active movement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where sensors continuously monitor vehicle state variables, the control device processes this information to determine unsafe operating states, and the actuator provides tactile feedback to the operator through controlled movements and vibrations of the secondary side. This feedback loop restores the operator's awareness of critical conditions while maintaining the comfort benefits of vibration isolation.
2Loss of information
If visual or acoustic warning display elements are used to alert operators of critical conditions, then operator awareness is improved, but the perception can be overlooked or overheard due to external influences such as light, noise and field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual and acoustic warning systems with a tactile/mechanical warning system. Instead of using light (visual) or sound (acoustic) signals that can be affected by external influences, the system uses the actuator to create tactile vibrations and movements in the vehicle seat or operator platform. This mechanical substitution ensures that critical warnings are transmitted through the operator's sense of touch, which is not affected by external environmental factors like light or noise.
3Loss of information
If haptic warning signals are generated by interventions in active chassis suspension, then tactile feedback is provided, but the high chassis masses lead to sluggish response behavior making it unsuitable for commercial vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the warning function from the overall chassis suspension system. Instead of modifying the entire active chassis suspension system (which has high mass and sluggish response), the invention creates a dedicated, localized actuator system specifically for generating haptic warning signals. This segmented approach allows the warning system to respond quickly to critical conditions without being constrained by the mass and response characteristics of the main suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using an actuator that can rapidly change its output characteristics to generate immediate tactile feedback. The actuator is controlled to produce dynamic vibration patterns and movements that can be quickly adjusted based on the detected operating state, providing fast response times for warnings while maintaining the ability to adapt the type and intensity of tactile feedback to different situations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances operator awareness of critical vehicle states, preventing dangerous situations by providing tactile feedback without causing nausea or discomfort, and can be integrated with visual and acoustic signals for comprehensive alerting.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one actuator can be used to move the secondary side relative to the primary side in a damping and/or resilient manner
Implementation Method 2
the at least one actuator can be used to move the secondary side relative to the primary side in a damping and/or resilient manner
Implementation Method 3
The actuator can be used to move the secondary side relative to the primary side in a controlled manner, simulating vibrations or movements to alert the operator
Data Source
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AI summary
Active moving system comprises actuators (18, 26) actively controlled by a control unit (30) depending on the actual operating state of the vehicle (10). A secondary side (16) is moved in relation to a primary side (12) using the actuators. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) Agricultural or industrial vehicle, especially a tractor, with the active moving system; (2) Method for operating the moving system; and (3) Retrofit kit for the moving system. Preferred Features: The primary side has an operator platform or a cabin and the secondary side has an operator seat.