Vehicle Seat Adjustment Device with Efficiency-Oriented Analysis Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic seat adjustment devices in vehicles require significant effort and consume excessive power to adjust seat positions based on occupant data, often resulting in inefficient use of space and suboptimal ergonomic settings, especially in autonomous driving scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit with an analysis unit that determines an efficiency-oriented adjustment space requirement by computing the most effective kinematic course for seat-position-dependent components based on vehicle occupant data and interior geometry, prioritizing actuator activation to minimize power consumption and adjustment time, and allowing for sequential adjustments such as seat rotation, backrest, and inclination changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional automatic seat adjustment devices adjust seat positions based on occupant data, then ergonomic settings are achieved, but power consumption and adjustment time are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates and stores optimal seat positions and adjustment sequences for different occupant percentiles before actual adjustment is needed. When adjustment is required, the pre-computed data is directly applied, eliminating real-time computational overhead and reducing both power consumption and adjustment time while maintaining ergonomic quality
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment process is divided into discrete sequential steps with priority levels. Instead of adjusting all seat components simultaneously, the system segments the adjustment into prioritized actions (e.g., seat position first, then backrest angle, then cushion position), allowing power-efficient sequential execution rather than high-power parallel operation
2Ease of operation
If traditional automatic seat adjustment devices adjust seat positions based on occupant data, then ergonomic settings are achieved, but adjustment time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Optimal adjustment sequences and parameter combinations are pre-calculated and stored in the control unit for various occupant types. This allows the system to execute adjustments by simply retrieving and following pre-optimized sequences rather than computing optimal paths in real-time, significantly reducing adjustment time while preserving ergonomic quality
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment process is segmented into prioritized sequential steps. High-priority adjustments (affecting ergonomics most) are executed first, followed by lower-priority refinements. This segmentation enables the system to achieve functional ergonomic adequacy quickly, with optional time-consuming refinements executed only if time permits
3Ease of operation
If seat components are adjusted to achieve ergonomic settings, then passenger comfort is improved, but vehicle interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seat system transitions from static fixed positions to dynamically adjustable configurations. The seat can adapt its geometry (position, angle, shape) based on real-time occupancy detection and passenger needs, allowing the same physical space to serve multiple ergonomic functions without permanently reducing vehicle interior volume
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts multiple seat parameters (position, backrest angle, cushion inclination, lateral support) to achieve ergonomic optimization. By changing these geometric parameters rather than adding physical structures, the system improves comfort while maintaining the original vehicle interior space envelope
4Speed
If multiple actuators are activated simultaneously for seat adjustment, then adjustment speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simultaneous multi-actuator operation is segmented into sequential phases with priority levels. Instead of activating all actuators at once (high power), the system activates them in sequence based on priority (moderate power over time). This maintains functional adjustment speed while dramatically reducing peak and total power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment process uses periodic sequential activation of actuators rather than continuous simultaneous operation. Each actuator is activated in turn for its required duration, creating a rhythmic periodic pattern of low-power operations that achieves the same functional result as high-power simultaneous operation but with fraction of the energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment device for the automatic seat position change in a vehicle from an actual setting into a predefinable target setting including an electronic control unit for automatically setting at least one actuator for adjusting at least one seat-position-dependent adjustable vehicle component depending on detected vehicle occupant data. In this case, the control unit has an analysis unit for determining an efficiency-oriented adjustment space requirement for the adjustment of the actual setting into the target setting depending on the vehicle occupant data and the vehicle interior geometry.