Vehicle Driving Position Control Using Body-Size Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to accurately adjust the driving position for passengers of varying body sizes across different regions, leading to potential discomfort and safety issues due to differences in body dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A body-size class specification device and method that classify passengers based on dimension ratios of body parts, such as standing height and upper-body-to-leg length ratio, to automatically adjust the vehicle seat and steering wheel positions for optimal comfort and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a fixed camera angle is used to calculate body information, then the system can acquire recommendation values for seat adjustment, but it cannot accurately adapt to passengers with different body sizes across different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic seat adjustmentVSAvoidadaptability to different body sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera system dynamic by allowing the camera to move to different positions and capture images from multiple angles. Instead of using a fixed camera angle, the system captures images from at least two different camera positions to calculate more accurate body information that adapts to various body types across different regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If region-specific vehicle configurations are implemented for different body sizes, then accurate driving position adjustment is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy for different body sizesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal camera-based system that can automatically adapt to any passenger's body size regardless of region. Instead of creating different vehicle configurations for different regions, a single multi-functional system uses image processing and body information calculation to provide accurate seat and steering wheel adjustments for all passengers worldwide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple camera images are used to calculate body information, then accuracy for diverse body sizes improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody information accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical image-based measurement. By using camera images and image processing algorithms, the system calculates body information (such as sitting height, thigh length, calf length) more accurately and efficiently than traditional mechanical sensors, reducing processing complexity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4098494B1Driving-position setting device and method
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4098494B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098494B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4098494B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a driving-position setting device for a vehicle, which comprises a body-size class specification device and is able to control a position of the seat (ST) based on the body size of an object person (DV). The invention further relates to a driving position setting method, comprising a body-size class specification method, and a vehicle implementing the driving-position setting device and method.