Vehicle Occupant Size Detection and Pre-Entry Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to optimally adjust vehicle controls and seating based on the size of a person approaching, leading to uncomfortable and inconvenient entry experiences, especially in rental and autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect the size of a person or object approaching a vehicle using sensors, such as cameras, and adjust vehicle controls, mirrors, and seating positions accordingly, including determining the height difference and intended entry trajectory, to ensure optimal positioning before entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicle controls and seating are manually adjusted after entry, then the person can achieve comfortable positioning, but this increases the time required to prepare the vehicle and reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the person's size and characteristics before they enter the vehicle, and pre-adjusts the seating position, mirror angles, and control configurations in advance. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment after entry, reducing preparation time while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system automatically detects the occupant's physical characteristics and self-adjusts the interior components without requiring manual input from the occupant. The system serves itself by using sensors to gather data and actuators to make adjustments autonomously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a fixed seating and control configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but this worsens the comfort and adaptability for different sized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex manual adjustment mechanisms with automated detection and adjustment systems. Sensors (optical, ultrasonic, or capacitive) detect the occupant's physical characteristics, and electronic control systems automatically adjust the seating and controls, substituting mechanical complexity with sensor-based automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as seating position, backrest angle, mirror orientation, and control reach based on detected occupant characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to the occupant's size and preferences, the system achieves adaptability without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle detects person size using multiple sensors and cameras, then the measurement precision of person size is improved, but this increases the device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors that can perform multiple detection tasks. For example, cameras serve both for detecting the occupant's approach trajectory and for measuring physical dimensions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated sensors for each measurement task, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
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
This solution enables comfortable and convenient entry by optimizing the positioning of vehicle controls and seating based on detected size, reducing time to operate the vehicle and enhancing user experience in various vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
The detecting, at the exterior of the vehicle, the size of the person approaching the vehicle to enter the vehicle may include receiving an input of a size of the person from the person approaching the vehicle. The detecting the size of the person approaching the vehicle may be performed based on information received from a sensor sensing the exterior of the vehicle. The sensor may include a plurality of cameras.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for detecting a size of a person at an exterior of the space to be occupied are provided. The method includes: detecting, at an exterior of a vehicle, a size of a person approaching the vehicle to enter the vehicle; and adjusting a position of at least one from among a vehicle control, a vehicle mirror, and a vehicle seat based on the detected size of the person approaching the vehicle. The method and apparatus may be used to detect the size of a person intending to occupy a vehicle and to adjust positioning of various elements and controls based on the detected size prior to entering the vehicle.