Active Vehicle Seat Suspension for Adaptive Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle suspension systems fail to effectively mitigate external disturbances, leading to an unsafe and uncomfortable ride for occupants, as they do not adequately account for changing seat configurations and environmental factors within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An active seat control system that adjusts its suspension based on predefined control parameters, incorporating information about the seat's state and environment, including orientation, position, and configuration, to limit or modify motion in response to sensor data and user inputs, ensuring safe and comfortable operation by preventing collisions and optimizing vibration isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional passive or semi-active suspension systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the ability to mitigate external disturbances and adapt to changing seat configurations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring seat configuration parameters (recline angle, position, occupancy) and adjusting suspension control parameters in real-time. The control system transitions from static to dynamic operation, allowing the suspension characteristics to change adaptively based on current seat state and environmental conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by sensing seat configuration parameters and using this information to modify suspension control. Sensors detect seat state changes, and the controller adjusts suspension parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that enhances adaptability while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
2Ease of operation
If the seat is allowed full range of motion for comfort, then ride comfort is improved, but collision risk with vehicle interior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by predicting potential collision scenarios based on current seat configuration and vehicle motion parameters. Before collisions can occur, the control system pre-adjusts suspension parameters to limit seat motion in directions that could lead to interference with vehicle interior, thereby preventing harmful effects while maintaining comfort within safe boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational envelope of seat motion based on real-time conditions. Rather than fixed motion limits, the system continuously modifies allowable motion ranges according to seat configuration, vehicle acceleration, and proximity to vehicle interior components, enabling maximum comfort freedom without collision risk.
3Reliability
If the seat motion is heavily constrained for safety, then collision risk is reduced, but ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves this contradiction by implementing dynamic constraint adjustment. Suspension parameters are continuously adapted based on seat configuration and environmental conditions, allowing minimal constraints when safety is critical and greater motion freedom when safety permits, thereby optimizing both reliability and comfort dynamically rather than using fixed conservative limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes suspension control parameters dynamically based on operating conditions. By adjusting parameters such as damping coefficients and spring rates according to seat state and vehicle motion, the system achieves optimal balance between safety constraints and comfort, avoiding both excessive restriction and unsafe freedom.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the active seat suspension operates with fixed control parameters, then the control system is simple, but it cannot optimize vibration isolation for different seat configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from seat configuration sensors to automatically adjust control parameters for optimal vibration isolation. The controller receives information about seat state and modifies suspension parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for manual parameter adjustment while enhancing vibration isolation effectiveness across different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The active seat suspension system performs self-adjustment by using its own sensor data to automatically optimize control parameters. The system serves itself by detecting changes in seat configuration and independently modifying suspension characteristics to maintain optimal vibration isolation, reducing the need for external intervention or complex manual control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments related to systems and methods for controlling an active vehicle seat are described. In some embodiments, the active vehicle seat is controlled based at least partly on internal sensor information, external sensor information, and operator input from a user interface.