Modular Convertible Vehicle Seat With Sensor-Guided Block Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a vehicle seat mechanism that can adjust to various positions to accommodate different body types and situations, particularly in purpose-built vehicles used for diverse purposes, where existing seat adjustment mechanisms are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A convertible seat system with individual blocks that can ascend and descend, utilizing a raising and lowering drive device, such as a linear actuator or scissor lift, and controlled by a controller that adjusts based on body pressure sensors and proximity sensors to optimize seating comfort and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional seat structure with basic cushion and backrest is used, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are low, but the adaptability to different body types and situations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback and seat cushion are divided into multiple independent adjustable blocks. Each block can be individually adjusted in height and angle, allowing the seat to adapt to different body types and situations. This segmentation enables fine-grained customization while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can adjust to different seating positions for various body types, create sleeping positions, and accommodate different passengers. The same adjustable block mechanism serves both seating and sleeping functions, reducing overall device complexity while improving versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate various body types and situations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of one complex mechanism, the seat uses multiple simple adjustable blocks. Each block has its own drive device and sensors, allowing independent adjustment. This distributes complexity across many simple units rather than concentrating it in one complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat blocks can dynamically adjust their positions and angles based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and proximity sensors. The controller continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts block positions accordingly, enabling adaptive comfort without requiring pre-programmed positions for every scenario.
3Measurement precision
If individual blocks with drive devices and sensors are used, then the measurement precision and control accuracy improve, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing capability is distributed across multiple blocks, with each block containing its own pressure sensor. This segmentation allows precise localization of pressure points on the seat, improving measurement precision while keeping each individual sensor simple and lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
Each block is equipped with its own drive device and sensors, making it self-contained and autonomous. The block can independently sense pressure, determine required adjustment, and execute positioning without requiring complex centralized control wiring, simplifying the overall system architecture despite adding components to each block.
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
The system allows for customizable seating positions, accommodating different body types and situations, including child seats and full-bed modes, providing enhanced comfort and versatility in vehicle use.
Implementation Method 1
The raising and lowering drive device may be employed as a linear actuator including a cylinder mounted on a bottom of the fixed block of the corresponding one of the individual blocks, and a piston rod connected to the ascending and descending block of the corresponding one of the individual blocks.
Implementation Method 2
the raising and lowering drive device may be employed as a scissor lift device including a base mounted on a bottom of the fixed block of the corresponding one of the individual blocks, a scissor frame having a lower end portion connected to the base and an upper end portion connected to the ascending and descending block
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor configured to detect a body pressure of a passenger and to transmit a detection signal to the controller and mounted on each individual block
Data Source
AI summary
A convertible seat for a vehicle includes a base frame having a predetermined dimension of storage space, a plurality of individual blocks disposed to be ascendable and descendable in the storage space of the base frame and configured to serve as a seatback and a seat cushion, and a raising and lowering drive device installed in each of the individual blocks and configured to raise or lower a corresponding one of the individual blocks so that a seat position can be changed into various forms.