Capacitive Sensor Electrode in Vehicle Seat Massage Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat massage devices are costly to produce and maintain, and they often require additional components for occupancy detection, which increases complexity and reduces comfort by unnecessary power consumption and noise when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a capacitive sensor electrode integrated into the massage device's electrical line to detect seat occupancy by measuring changes in capacitance, adjusting the electric motor's energization based on occupancy, and utilizing the massage device's components to perform both occupancy detection and massage functions, reducing the need for additional components and improving user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional occupancy detection components are added to the massage device, then occupancy detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical line of the massage device is designed to serve dual purposes: delivering electrical current to the massage drive and simultaneously functioning as a capacitive sensor electrode for occupancy detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate occupancy detection components, thereby reducing device complexity and production costs while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrical line used for power delivery with the capacitive sensor electrode used for occupancy detection into a single integrated component. By combining these two previously separate functions into one element, the overall device complexity is reduced while achieving both massage functionality and accurate occupancy detection
2Speed
If the electric motor is continuously energized to ensure readiness, then response time is improved, but energy consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energization state of the electric motor is made dynamic rather than static. The motor's power supply is continuously adjusted based on real-time occupancy detection results from the capacitive sensor, allowing the system to transition between different energization states (fully energized, partially energized, or unenergized) to optimize the balance between response time and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where occupancy detection results are continuously monitored and used to adjust the energization state of the electric motor. This closed-loop control ensures the motor is only energized to the extent necessary for current occupancy conditions, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and noise while maintaining appropriate response readiness
3Power
If the electric motor operates at full power to provide strong massage effect, then massage intensity is improved, but service life of the motor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is operated at partial power rather than continuously at full power. By adjusting the energization level based on occupancy detection and massage requirements, the system provides sufficient massage intensity when needed while reducing motor stress and heat generation during normal operation, thereby extending the motor's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The massage function operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, with the electric motor being energized only during active massage phases. This periodic operation allows the motor to rest between cycles, reducing cumulative thermal stress and extending service life while still providing effective massage treatment during active periods
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
This approach reduces production costs, extends the service life of the electric motor, enhances user comfort by adapting massage intensity to occupancy, and minimizes noise and energy consumption when the seat is unoccupied, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective massage device.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor electrode, by means of which an electromagnetic field is created and monitored in the area of the seat. In this case, a change in a dielectric constant is detected on the basis of a change in the capacitance
Implementation Method 2
The massage drive has an imbalance driven by an electric motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Method (52) for operating a massage device (6) of a seat (4), in particular of a motor vehicle (2), which has a massage drive (16) with an unbalance (36) driven by an electric motor (32) and an electrical line (24) for operating the massage drive (16). A change in capacitance due to a change in the occupancy of at least one section (48) of the seat (4) is detected by means of a component (16, 24) of the massage device (6), and the current supplied to the electric motor (32) is adjusted based on the change in capacitance. The disclosure further relates to a massage device (6) of a seat (4) and a vehicle seat (4) of a motor vehicle (2), as well as the use of a component (16, 24) of a massage device (6) of a seat (4).