Motorcycle Seat Occupant Detection Using Flexible U-Shaped Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat detection systems struggle to accurately determine the presence of a driver or passenger on a motor vehicle seat, particularly on motorcycle saddles, due to play or misalignment between the seat and the vehicle, which can lead to improper activation or deactivation of vehicle devices.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a flexible U-shaped element with a torsion spring and adjustable stop nuts, where a switch is activated only when a person sits on the saddle, ensuring precise detection regardless of seat movement or misalignment, by using a flexible U-shaped element with a torsion spring and adjustable stop nuts to maintain proper spacing and compression force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a push button switch is used under the saddle to detect occupant presence, then the detection system can determine whether the driver or passenger is on the vehicle, but the system becomes sensitive to play and misalignment between the saddle and vehicle body, causing improper activation or deactivation of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a laminated spring instead of a rigid support structure, allowing the saddle to dynamically adjust its position vertically. The spring compresses under the saddle's weight and yields when the saddle moves, accommodating play and misalignment between the saddle and vehicle body while maintaining reliable switch activation when an occupant is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminated spring changes its physical state from uncompressed to compressed based on the load applied. When the saddle is empty, the spring maintains the saddle in its resting position; when an occupant sits on the saddle, the spring compresses, allowing vertical translation and proper switch activation, thus adapting to different weight parameters.
2Ease of operation
If the saddle is made mobile with respect to the vehicle body to improve comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but the detection system becomes unreliable due to movement and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The laminated spring acts as an intermediary element between the mobile saddle and the fixed vehicle body. It absorbs and accommodates the relative movements and misalignments between the saddle and body, ensuring that the push button switch reliably detects occupant presence regardless of saddle position changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid support is used under the saddle to maintain stable position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the system cannot accommodate play and misalignment, leading to detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The laminated spring provides a dynamic support solution that combines the benefits of rigid support (maintaining saddle position) with flexibility (accommodating misalignment). The spring's elastic properties allow it to maintain stable support while yielding to positional variations, ensuring reliable detection.
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 effectively and accurately detects the presence of a person on the seat, preventing false activation or deactivation of vehicle devices, regardless of seat position or alignment, ensuring reliable operation across various seat types and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible U-shaped element with a torsion spring and adjustable stop nuts to maintain proper spacing and compression force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A system for detecting the occupant of a vehicle seat (10), for example on a motorcycle or a motor scooter, is described. Inside the seat (10) at least one flexible U-shaped element (16) is inserted and arranged along a substantially horizontal direction. A first upper portion (18) of the flexible element (16) is fixedly connected to the seat (10), whereas a second lower portion (20) of the flexible element (16) is fixedly connected to the frame (12) of the vehicle. On the first upper portion (18) of the flexible element (16) at least one switch means (24) is fastened from which a button (26) extends vertically downwards and faces onto the second lower portion (20) of the flexible element (16). On the second lower portion (20) of the flexible element (16) a shaped abutment surface (28) is formed, suitable for coming into contact with the button (26) to keep it pressed when at least one person is sitting on the seat (10).