Vehicle Seat Control Apparatus for Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automatic driving mode, vehicle seats do not adequately ensure occupant safety during collisions, particularly when reclining angles are large or vehicles are positioned rearward, as this can lead to increased injury risk due to potential collisions with oncoming vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat control apparatus that adjusts the reclining angle and position of the seat using actuators, with a control unit determining the safety settings based on the presence of road dividers, vehicle speeds, and estimated oncoming vehicle speeds, to prevent excessive reclining and rearward positioning that could increase injury risk during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reclining angle of the seat back is increased in automatic driving mode to improve comfort, then occupant comfort is improved, but occupant safety during collision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat control system dynamically adjusts the reclining angle based on driving mode and road conditions. In automatic driving mode without road dividers, the system limits the reclining angle to prevent excessive rearward inclination, while allowing greater angles when road dividers are present or in manual driving mode, thus balancing comfort and safety dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of reclining angle threshold based on detected road conditions and driving mode. When no road divider is detected in automatic driving mode, the system applies a more restrictive reclining angle limit compared to when road dividers are present, adapting the safety parameters to the specific operational context
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle seat is positioned rearward to improve comfort, then occupant comfort is improved, but occupant safety during collision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat control system dynamically adjusts the allowable rearward position based on driving mode and road conditions. In automatic driving mode without road dividers, the system limits how far rearward the seat can be positioned, while allowing greater rearward movement when road dividers are present or in manual driving mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of seat position threshold based on detected road conditions. When no road divider is detected in automatic driving mode, the system applies a more restrictive rearward position limit compared to when road dividers are present, adapting safety parameters to operational context
3Ease of operation
If the actuator allows greater reclining angle in automatic driving mode, then seat comfort is improved, but the risk of occupant sliding forward during collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively limits the reclining angle in automatic driving mode without road dividers to prevent the condition that would lead to occupant sliding forward during collision. By maintaining a more upright seat position in advance, the system reduces the risk that the occupant's upper body will slide forward along the seat cushion during deceleration
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit determines road conditions and proactively configures the seat position and reclining angle limits before a collision occurs. By setting appropriate reclining angle limits in advance based on the absence of road dividers, the system prepares the seat in a safer configuration that prevents harmful sliding during subsequent collision events
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus of a vehicle seat includes: at least one actuator configured to adjust at least one of a reclining angle or a position of the vehicle seat in a seat front-rear direction; and a control unit configured to determine whether a road divider is provided on a road where the vehicle is traveling and perform, when determining that no road divider is provided, at least any one of controlling the actuator not to incline the seat back rearward at an angle more than a predetermined angle, controlling the actuator not to position the vehicle seat at a position more rearward than a predetermined position, outputting a warning signal when the seat hack is inclined rearward at an angle more than the predetermined angle, and outputting a warning signal when the vehicle seat is positioned at a position more rearward than the predetermined position.