Adaptive Leg Rest Heating Control Using Seat and User Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat control systems fail to adaptively activate heating elements based on the position and user information, leading to inefficient power consumption and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A seat control apparatus that uses sensors and actuators to determine seat and user information, such as position, pressure, and body type, to selectively activate heating elements for the leg rest, preventing unnecessary power consumption and ensuring comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heating element is activated based on a simple switch input without considering seat position or user information, then the heating function can be provided, but unnecessary power consumption occurs and user comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameters from a simple binary switch to a multi-parameter decision system that considers seat position (leg rest angle), user body information (calf position, body size), and environmental conditions. This enables adaptive activation of the heating element only when necessary parameters indicate user need, optimizing both energy consumption and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor seat position, user presence, and calf position, and this information feeds back to the controller to dynamically adjust heating element activation. This closed-loop control ensures the heating function is provided precisely when and where needed, eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining user comfort.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating element is activated without detecting external objects, then the heating function is provided, but unnecessary power consumption occurs due to heating objects other than users
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces sensor devices as intermediaries between the user and the heating element. These sensors detect whether the object on the seat is a user (by detecting body characteristics, calf position, and seat position correlations) or an external object. This intermediary detection layer enables selective heating activation only for legitimate users, preventing energy waste on inanimate objects while maintaining reliable heating function for actual users.
3Ease of operation
If a heating element is provided for the leg rest, then user comfort can be enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional controller that integrates multiple functions: seat position control, heating element control, sensor data processing, and decision-making logic. By making the controller universal and capable of handling multiple functions through software/firmware logic rather than separate dedicated hardware for each function, the system enhances user comfort through adaptive heating while minimizing the increase in physical device complexity.
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 efficiently activates heating elements based on user needs, reducing power consumption and enhancing user comfort by adapting to different user positions and types.
Implementation Method 1
activating, based on at least one of the state information or the user information, a heating element for the leg rest
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a seat control apparatus which includes a sensor, an actuator, memory, and a controller. The seat control apparatus may determine, based on a predetermined event, a seat corresponding to the predetermined event. The seat may include a leg rest. The seat control apparatus may determine, using the sensor, at least one of: state information of the seat, which is movable by the actuator, or user information of a user who is sitting on the seat; and activating, based on at least one of the state information or the user information, a heating element for the leg rest.