Vehicle Head Restraint Automatic Activation via Occupant Biometrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle head restraints are often stationary or difficult to manually adjust, and occupants may not be aware of their adjustability, leading to a need for an improved system to automatically activate and position head restraints based on occupant biometrics and seat belt usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors to detect occupants and their biometric parameters, such as pressure and height, to automatically actuate head restraints to an in-use position when the seat belt is buckled, and provide reminder signals to ensure proper deployment and usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If head restraints are made stationary, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates as occupants cannot adjust them to suitable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint system automatically adjusts itself based on sensor detection of occupant presence and biometric data, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining adaptability. The system serves itself by detecting occupancy and autonomously positioning the head restraint to the appropriate height and firmness level.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with automated electronic control systems that use sensors to detect occupant characteristics and motorized actuators to position the head restraint, substituting complex mechanical adjustment interfaces with electronic control.
2Ease of operation
If head restraints are made manually adjustable, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual adjustment operations by implementing self-service automation where sensors detect occupant biometrics and the system automatically positions the head restraint, removing the need for manual intervention while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual adjustment mechanism is extracted and removed from the system, replacing it with automated sensor-based control that detects occupant characteristics and autonomously adjusts the head restraint position without requiring physical adjustment components.
3Ease of operation
If automated sensor detection is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is integrated into existing vehicle occupancy detection infrastructure, allowing the same sensors to serve multiple functions including seat occupancy detection, biometric data collection, and head restraint activation control, thereby reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint detection and control system is merged with the vehicle's existing seat belt and occupancy detection systems, combining multiple functions into a unified control architecture that reduces the number of separate components and simplifies system integration.
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
Automatically activates head restraints to optimal positions based on occupant biometrics, enhancing safety and convenience by ensuring correct deployment and reducing manual adjustment difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
sensing pressure on the vehicle seat to detect the occupant in the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
activating a distance sensor relative to the vehicle seat... determining an occupant height category of the occupant with the distance sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of activating a head restraint system in a vehicle for an occupant is provided. The method comprises providing a vehicle seat having a seat belt and a head restraint in the vehicle and detecting the occupant in the vehicle. The method further comprises actuating the seat head restraint of the vehicle seat to an in-use position if the seat belt is buckled. The method further includes providing an actuation signal to an electronic control module of the vehicle if the seat head restraint is actuated.