Adaptive Vehicle Seat Layout for Passenger and Baggage Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles, particularly autonomous taxis, lack the ability to dynamically adjust seating arrangements based on the number of occupants and the size/number of baggage, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a communicator and controller to receive boarding information from a user terminal, adjusting seat positions and forms based on the number of occupants and baggage, with predefined thresholds for seat unfolding and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a fixed seating arrangement, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is inefficient when passenger load and baggage vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic seat arrangements where seats can change their configuration based on real-time detection of passenger load and baggage. The controller automatically adjusts seat positions and folding states to optimize space utilization for different scenarios, transforming the fixed seating system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of passenger load and baggage through sensors before the vehicle departs. Based on this advance information, the controller pre-adjusts the seat configurations to the optimal arrangement for the detected load conditions, ensuring space efficiency is achieved before the journey begins rather than requiring manual adjustment during travel.
2Quantity of substance
If the rear seat is moved forward to accommodate more baggage, then the baggage storage capacity increases, but the passenger legroom and comfort decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rear seat position based on the detected baggage quantity and size. When significant baggage is detected, the rear seat moves forward to create storage space. When no or minimal baggage is present, the rear seat returns to its original position to maximize passenger comfort. This dynamic adjustment ensures that comfort is maintained when not compromised by storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different seat positions for different purposes: when baggage storage is needed, the rear seat area is reconfigured for storage; when passenger comfort is the priority, the rear seat is positioned to maximize legroom. The system locally optimizes the rear seat configuration based on the specific storage requirements rather than maintaining a fixed position that compromises both functions.
3Productivity
If the vehicle detects and processes detailed boarding information, then the seat arrangement optimization is improved, but the communication system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's communicator and controller system automatically detects boarding information including passenger count and baggage details through integrated sensors. The controller autonomously processes this information and executes the appropriate seat configuration adjustments without requiring manual input from passengers or complex user interfaces. The system serves itself by automatically optimizing the seating arrangement based on detected conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously detect passenger load and baggage conditions, the controller processes this information, adjusts the seat configurations accordingly, and the results are fed back to verify optimal arrangement. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the seat arrangement is continuously optimized based on actual vehicle loading conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a vehicle is configured to control an arrangement of seats in the vehicle based on a number of occupants, a number of pieces of baggage and a baggage size, where the vehicle includes: a vehicle seat including at least one of a first seat, a second seat or a rear seat; a communicator configured to receive boarding information including information about at least one of the number of occupants or the number of pieces of baggage from a user terminal; and a controller configured to change at least one of a position and a form of the vehicle seat based on the boarding information.