Active Suspension Seat Interlocks for Swivel Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active suspension seats in vehicles pose a safety concern as they can be rotated away from the driving position while the vehicle is in motion, potentially disrupting the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely.
Innovation Solution
An active suspension seat with a swivel mechanism that allows rotation towards and away from the driving position, coupled with a brake system controlled by a seat controller to prevent rotation when the vehicle is in motion, and limits active suspension to only when the seat is in the appropriate driving position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat is allowed to rotate freely on the swivel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety and reliability deteriorate due to potential rotation away from driving position during vehicle motion
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system dynamically adjusts its engagement state based on vehicle motion detection. When the vehicle is stationary, the brake is disengaged to allow free seat rotation. When vehicle motion is detected, the brake automatically engages to prevent rotation, and disengages when motion stops, providing adaptive safety control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vehicle motion sensors to control the brake mechanism. The seat controller continuously monitors vehicle motion status and adjusts the brake engagement accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to changing operational conditions
2Reliability
If active suspension is continuously enabled, then the driver comfort is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active suspension system operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated only when the seat is in the correct driving position and deactivated when the seat rotates away or the vehicle is stationary, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically activates or deactivates active suspension based on seat position detection, without requiring manual user input. The seat controller autonomously manages the suspension operation based on detected conditions
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
Ensures the seat remains in a safe driving position during vehicle motion, preventing disruption to the driver and conserving energy by disabling active suspension when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a brake, and a seat controller coupled to the brake to cause the brake to prevent the seat from being rotated
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuator coupled to the seat controller and operated by the seat controller to actively suspend the seat to isolate the seat from a jolt along at least one axis
Data Source
AI summary
An active suspension seat for use in a vehicle incorporates a swivel enabling the active suspension seat to be rotated about a vertical axis towards and away from a position appropriate for use in driving the vehicle, and incorporates a seat controller operating a brake to prevent such rotation away from that appropriate position in response to an indication that the vehicle is in motion, and limiting the active suspension to being enabled only when the seat is in the appropriate position for use in driving.