Vehicle Seat Adjustment System with Pedal Contact Safety Limits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems cannot automatically adjust a motor vehicle driver's seat while the vehicle is in motion without risking loss of contact with the brake pedal, limiting the ability to change driving positions during driving.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a computer, seat actuators, and a man-machine interface that allows controlled adjustment of the seat position within safe displacement limits while moving, ensuring the driver remains engaged with the pedals, with manual override options and alerts for unauthorized seat movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the driver's seat is automatically adjusted according to selected driving modes while the vehicle is in motion, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the safety is compromised due to risk of losing contact with the brake pedal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change driving position during drivingVSAvoidsafety of driver control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the seat position based on the selected driving mode while the vehicle is in motion, allowing the seat to move from a first position to a second position corresponding to the driving mode. This dynamic adjustment capability enables adaptability during driving without requiring the vehicle to be stationary, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and the traditional safety constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the displacement parameters of the seat by defining admissible displacement values that limit the seat movement within safe boundaries. The computer determines these displacement values to ensure the driver's foot remains in contact with the brake pedal, allowing seat adjustment while maintaining safety through controlled parameter changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the displacement of the seat is limited within a range of admissible displacement values to ensure foot contact with pedals, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to restricted movement range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveensuring driver's foot remains in contact with pedalsVSAvoidseat adjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system defines admissible displacement values as parameters that limit the seat movement range. These displacement values are calculated to ensure the driver's foot remains in contact with the brake pedal during seat adjustment. By controlling the displacement parameter within safe boundaries, the system maintains safety while still allowing necessary seat movement for different driving modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The computer monitors the seat position and displacement to ensure it remains within admissible values that guarantee foot contact with the pedals. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the seat while maintaining safety constraints, balancing reliability with operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3703972B1System and method for adjusting a driver's seat of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 RENAULT SA
  • EP3703972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3703972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This system for adjusting a driver's seat of a motor vehicle comprises a computer (1), a set of actuators (2) for actuating the seat, controlled by the computer and a human-machine interface (3) connected to the computer (1) for controlling the adjustment of the seat. It comprises means for limiting the movement of the seat within a range of allowable movement values, when the vehicle is running. The invention also concerns the method implemented by this device.