Active Vehicle Seat Architecture for Inertial Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle seat assemblies fail to effectively isolate occupants from inertial forces and road-induced vibrations, leading to operator fatigue and discomfort during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
An active vehicle seat assembly with an articulated suspension and isolation platform, equipped with sensors and actuators that automate movement in multiple axes to counteract inertial forces and vibrations, using a processor to execute control algorithms and adjust the seat's position in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an active seat assembly with multiple actuators and sensors is implemented to isolate occupants from inertial forces, then occupant comfort and isolation from vibrations improve, but device complexity and vehicle size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active seat assembly is divided into modular components: a seat pan, backrest, multiple independent actuators (pitch actuator, roll actuator, height actuator), and separate sensor systems. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex system to be managed through modular segmentation rather than a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested articulation where the seat pan articulates relative to the backrest, and both are mounted to the vehicle body through additional articulation points. This nested doll-like structure allows multiple degrees of freedom to be achieved within a compact volume, reducing the overall space required for the active seat mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If controlled rotation about the occupant's head is implemented to prevent head translation, then occupant safety improves, but actuator power requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pitch axis at the occupant's hip point rather than the head, creating a pivot point that naturally minimizes head translation during pitch rotation. This equipotential approach allows the occupant's center of gravity to remain relatively stable, reducing the energy required for actuation while still providing effective inertial compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts rotation parameters by changing the pivot point location from head-based to hip-point-based articulation. This parameter change in the rotation geometry reduces the moment arm and torque requirements, thereby lowering actuator power consumption while maintaining occupant comfort and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger actuators are used to accommodate varying occupant statures, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and packaging space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active seat assembly employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms where actuators can vary their stroke length and articulation range based on detected occupant characteristics. The system dynamically adapts to different occupant statures by adjusting rotation angles and translation distances, allowing smaller actuators to serve larger occupants through increased range of motion rather than increased actuator size.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are active vehicle seat assemblies, methods for making and using such seat assemblies, and vehicles with active seat assemblies for counteracting unwanted inertial forces. An active vehicle seat assembly is disclosed that includes an occupant chair with interconnected seat and backrest portions. A motion sensor detects motion of the occupant chair and outputs signals indicative thereof. An automated platform movably mounts the occupant chair to the vehicle body. The platform includes: a pitch plate that pivots about two lateral axes; a pitch actuator that selectively pivots the pitch plate; a roll plate that pivots about two longitudinal axes; and a roll actuator that selectively pivots the roll plate. An on-board controller responds to signals from the motion sensor indicative of inertial motion disturbances to the chair by transmitting control signals to the pitch and/or roll actuators to pivot the pitch and/or roll plates to thereby counteract the inertial disturbances.