Air-permeable Sensor Sheet for Vehicle Seat Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat configurations with embedded pressure detectors and wiring lines complicate the internal structure, degrade air permeability, and provide unreliable information due to the complexity and interference with other seat components like air conditioners or heaters.
Innovation Solution
A planar sensor sheet with a pliable, air-permeable main body and strategically arranged detecting portions, connected by shared wiring lines that transmit information wirelessly or via wired communication, allowing for accurate temperature and pressure distribution measurement without compromising the seat's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pressure detectors and individual wiring lines are embedded inside the seat, then pressure detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases and air permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detecting portions are integrated onto a single planar sensor sheet with shared wiring lines, merging what would otherwise be separate detector units into one cohesive component. This reduces the number of individual wiring lines and simplifies the internal structure while maintaining the capability to detect pressure at multiple locations
Solution Approach 2:
The planar sensor sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural component of the seat, provides pressure detection at multiple points, and maintains air permeability for ventilation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection devices that would add complexity
2Measurement precision
If a planar sensor sheet is arranged on the seating surface, then detection accuracy is improved, but air permeability is significantly degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The planar sensor sheet is constructed with porous or mesh-like material that allows air to pass through in the thickness direction. This maintains the air permeability required for seat ventilation while providing a surface for arranging detecting portions to accurately detect temperature distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is distributed across a two-dimensional planar surface rather than using thick embedded sensors. This allows the sensor sheet to remain thin and permeable to air while still providing accurate temperature detection across the seating surface area
3Reliability
If multiple airbags are arranged in parallel with individual pressure detectors, then support performance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detecting portions are integrated onto a single planar sensor sheet with shared wiring lines, merging what would otherwise be separate detector units into one cohesive component. This reduces the number of individual wiring lines and simplifies the internal structure while maintaining the capability to detect pressure at multiple locations
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor sheet has a planer shape to be disposed on a surface of a vehicle seat. The sensor sheet includes: a pliable planar main body capable of being disposed along the surface of the vehicle seat; a plurality of detecting portions provided in the main body; and a wiring line that is configured to supply power to each of the detecting portions, wherein each of the plurality of detecting portions is configured to transmit information detected from the surface of the vehicle seat to a controller through a wired or wireless communication, wherein the main body has an air permeability to enable circulation of air in a thickness direction, and wherein the plurality of detecting portions are arranged at a suitable interval in a surface direction of the main body.