Occupant Support Sensor System for Biometric Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor systems for occupant supports in vehicles lack the capability to accurately and efficiently measure biometric data, such as heart rate and respiration rate, using a combination of piezoelectric and capacitive sensing technologies that can provide reliable and correlated biomedical signals.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system integrated into a vehicle seat that includes piezoelectric and capacitive sensors, with each sensor comprising metallic electrodes and a piezoelectric element, capable of measuring voltage across the piezoelectric element and capacitive coupling between the electrodes and the occupant, allowing for the combination of piezoelectric sensor data and capacitive sensor data to generate accurate biomedical data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors are used for piezoelectric and capacitive sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines piezoelectric and capacitive sensing capabilities into a single integrated sensor unit. The sensor includes both a piezoelectric element for detecting mechanical stress and capacitive electrodes for detecting electrical fields, allowing simultaneous acquisition of ballistocardiogram and electrocardiogram signals from one device rather than requiring separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor serves multiple functions: it detects both mechanical vibrations (ballistocardiogram) and electrical signals (electrocardiogram) from the occupant's body. This multi-functional approach allows the single sensor to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for different sensing types, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single manufacturable sensor unit. By integrating the piezoelectric element and capacitive electrodes in one assembly, the system achieves reliable multi-modal biometric sensing without requiring separate manufacturing processes for multiple discrete sensors, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost
3Reliability
If galvanic isolation is implemented between sensing circuits, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitive coupling as an intermediary mechanism to transfer electrical signals between the sensor electrodes and the processing circuitry without direct galvanic connection. This capacitive interface provides the necessary electrical isolation while maintaining signal integrity, avoiding the need for complex isolation circuits or transformers that would increase 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 achieves high correlation rates (>90%) in measuring heart rate and respiration rate by combining piezoelectric and capacitive sensor data, improving accuracy and reducing system complexity and cost compared to using separate sensors for each type of sensing.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element positioned between the first metallic electrode and the second metallic electrode... the piezoelectric sensor data is indicative of voltage across the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
the capacitive sensor data is indicative of capacitive coupling between the first metallic electrode and the occupant of the vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant support includes a vehicle seat and a sensor system coupled to the vehicle seat. The sensor system is configured to provide biometric data of an occupant of the vehicle seat.