Automated Vehicle Seat Configuration for Dynamic Occupancy Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack the ability to effectively adapt to changing passenger and cargo demands, leading to inefficient use of interior space and suboptimal seating configurations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle configuration system that utilizes processors and memory to receive occupancy data, determine vehicle states, and adjust seat configurations based on this information, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of seats to optimize space and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed seat configurations are used in vehicles, then manufacturing and installation are simpler, but the vehicle cannot adapt to changing passenger and cargo demands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing passenger and cargo demandsVSAvoidseat configuration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic seat configurations that can automatically adjust and reconfigure based on real-time occupancy detection. Sensors detect passenger presence and system controllers automatically reposition seats to optimize space utilization and comfort, transforming static seat arrangements into adaptive, dynamic configurations that respond to changing vehicle occupancy conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary seat configuration adjustments before passengers enter or exit the vehicle. By detecting occupancy changes in advance and pre-positioning seats accordingly, the system optimizes interior space and prepares optimal seating arrangements proactively, rather than reacting after passengers are already in the vehicle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If traditional non-adjustable seats are used, then the vehicle structure is simpler, but interior space utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterior space utilizationVSAvoidseat adjustment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically adjustable seats that can change their position, orientation, and configuration based on detected occupancy patterns. The seats move along tracks, fold, nest, or reposition automatically to maximize the usable interior volume of the vehicle, transforming fixed spatial arrangements into flexible, adaptive configurations that optimize space efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting mechanisms where seats can be folded into or nested within each other when not in use. This allows the vehicle to transition between different occupancy scenarios, maximizing interior space availability while maintaining full seating capacity when needed, effectively creating a space-efficient nested configuration system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If manual seat adjustment is required, then the system is simpler, but passenger convenience and safety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger convenience and safetyVSAvoidautomatic seat configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automatic seat configuration where the system autonomously detects occupancy, determines optimal seating arrangements, and executes seat adjustments without requiring manual passenger intervention. The system serves itself by automatically adapting to passenger needs, enhancing convenience and safety while eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor occupancy conditions and passenger presence, and this information feeds back to the control system which automatically adjusts seat configurations accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures seats are optimally positioned based on real-time conditions, improving passenger experience while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12214698B2Automated vehicle seats
Publication Date: 2025.02.04 AURORA OPERATIONS INC
  • US12214698B2 patent drawing
  • US12214698B2 patent drawing
  • US12214698B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example a vehicle computing system can receive occupancy data that includes information associated with occupancy of a vehicle that includes seats. One or more states of the vehicle can be determined. The states of the vehicle can include a disposition of any object that is within the vehicle. Further, a configuration of the seats in the vehicle can be determined based on the occupancy data and the states of the vehicle. The configuration can include a disposition of the seats inside the vehicle. Furthermore, at least one of the seats can be adjusted based on the configuration that was determined.