Pre-Collision Vehicle Seat Repositioning Using Brushless Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face a high risk of injury to front passengers during collisions with large objects, as existing designs struggle to adequately protect passengers from significant deformations and intrusions.
Innovation Solution
A method for adjusting a vehicle seat configuration using an actuator system, which includes at least one brushless electric motor, to rapidly move and position vehicle seats based on collision signals, thereby reducing passenger injury risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vehicle is designed to withstand forces from impacts with large objects, then the structural integrity of the vehicle is maintained, but the risk of injury to front passengers remains high due to large deformations and intrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of collision situations using sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, ultrasonic sensors) and pre-adjusts the vehicle seat configuration before the actual impact occurs. This advance preparation allows the seat to be positioned in a protective posture that reduces passenger injury risk during the collision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the static vehicle seat into a dynamic system that can automatically adjust its configuration in response to detected collision conditions. The actuator system enables real-time modification of seat parameters (position, angle, restraint tension) based on sensor feedback, allowing the seat to adapt to varying collision scenarios
2Speed
If the vehicle seat configuration is adjusted rapidly using traditional actuators, then the response time to collision may be reduced, but the adjustment speed is insufficient to adequately protect passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical actuators with an electro-hydraulic actuator system that uses fluid pressure to drive seat adjustment. This substitution enables much faster response times (within milliseconds) compared to conventional mechanical systems, allowing the seat to reach its protective configuration before the collision impact occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects collision conditions in advance using multiple sensors and initiates seat adjustment before the actual impact. This preliminary action ensures that the seat is already in the optimal protective position when the collision occurs, maximizing passenger protection effectiveness
3Loss of time
If the vehicle uses pre-collision detection to adjust seats, then the reaction time is reduced, but there is still insufficient time to bring the vehicle seat configuration into an optimal protective state before impact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a hydraulic actuator system that uses incompressible fluid to transmit force and achieve extremely rapid seat adjustment. The hydraulic system can move the seat from its initial position to the protective configuration in milliseconds, significantly reducing the time loss between collision detection and protective positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of collision risk using sensors and immediately initiates seat adjustment before the actual collision occurs. This advance action, combined with the rapid hydraulic actuation, ensures the seat is positioned optimally during the brief window between detection and impact
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 method effectively reduces the risk of injury to passengers by rapidly adjusting the vehicle seat configuration in response to collision signals, utilizing the high-speed capabilities of brushless electric motors to position seats away from potential impact zones.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one actuator may be a brushless electric motor... When the at least one actuator is a brushless electric motor, it has been found that the vehicle seat configuration, in particular vehicle seats thereof, may be adjusted, e.g., moved in position, with very high speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to method (100) for adjusting a vehicle seat configuration (20) inside a vehicle (10), the vehicle seat configuration (20) comprising a vehicle seat (21) and an actuator system for adjusting the vehicle seat configuration (20), the actuator system comprising at least one actuator (24, 26, 28), the at least one actuator (24, 26, 28) being a brushless electric motor, the method (100) comprising: - receiving at least one signal (S 1, S2) indicative of a collision situation of the vehicle (10), - providing, upon receival of the at least one signal (S1, S2), control instructions (CI) for the actuator system to adjust the vehicle seat configuration (20).