Operator-Presence Seat Repositioning for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty vehicle operators face ergonomic and convenience issues during ingress and egress due to the size and configuration of vehicles, leading to operator fatigue and dissatisfaction, as existing seat adjustment systems do not adequately address comfort and ease during entry and exit while the vehicle is running.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat adjustment system that includes an operator presence detection device, a seat and component adjustment controller, and controllable actuators to automatically adjust the seat position based on the operator's presence or absence, allowing for optimized comfort and convenience during ingress and egress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat position is fixed in heavy-duty vehicles, then the vehicle structure remains simple and stable, but operator comfort and ease of ingress/egress deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically adjusting the seat to an optimal ingress/egress position when the operator leaves the seat. This anticipatory adjustment eliminates the need for manual repositioning and prepares the seat for the next operator's entry, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring complex real-time intervention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat adjustment system serves itself by using the operator presence detection signal to trigger automatic adjustment. The system monitors its own operational state through the presence detector and autonomously repositions the seat without external input, reducing the complexity of control interfaces while maintaining improved ease of ingress and egress.
2Ease of operation
If the seat position is manually adjusted by the operator, then the seat can be positioned for comfort, but time is lost and operator fatigue increases during frequent ingress and egress
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the seat adjustment action in advance, automatically repositioning the seat to an optimal configuration before the operator needs to re-enter. This eliminates the time loss associated with manual adjustment during frequent ingress and egress operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator presence detection device provides feedback to the control system, which then automatically adjusts the seat position. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual time-consuming adjustments by continuously monitoring operator presence and responding with automatic repositioning.
3Ease of operation
If the seat position is optimized for ingress and egress, then operator comfort improves, but the seat may not be in the optimal position for vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The seat position system transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration, automatically adapting between ingress/egress optimized position and operation optimized position based on real-time operator presence detection. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by providing different optimal positions at different operational phases without sacrificing either comfort or versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the seat position parameter dynamically based on operational context. When the operator is absent, the seat is positioned for easy ingress/egress; when the operator is present and ready to operate, the seat transitions to the operation-optimized position. This parameter change strategy maintains both ingress comfort and operational adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling the position of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The system includes a component position detection device, a seat and component adjustment controller and at least one controllable actuator in network communication. The measured value of the absence of a seat operator is communicated to the seat and component adjustment controller as is the current value of at least one of the fore-aft position or height position of the seat. The seat and component adjustment controller compares the measured value of the absence of a seat operator to a set value to determine if an operator is present. If an operator is not present based on this comparison, the seat and position controller calculates a movement factor value wherein the movement factor value determines the communication between the seat and component adjustment controller and the at least one controllable actuator. If the movement factor value is different than the desired value, the seat and component adjustment controller signals the at least one controllable actuator to adjust at least one of the fore-aft position or the height position of the seat to the desired value.